12-Year-Old Saves Family After Father Has Seizure on Rt. 95
Boy pulled car over after father fell ill behind the wheel.
A 12-year-old boy saved his father and sister Saturday morning after his father suffered a seizure while driving on Route 95 in Peabody.
Shortly before noon, State Police Danvers barracks received a 911 call from the boy reporting that his father had begun to have a seizure while he was driving the family car on the highway, State Police said.
The family was driving when the father, a 46 year old from Dracut, began to experience what the boy believed to be a seizure.
"The intrepid 12-year-old took control of the steering wheel and guided the family car into the breakdown lane. He then reached over and applied the breaks, bringing the car to a halt," State Police said in a press release issued Saturday afternoon.
The boy then took his father's cellphone and contacted 911.
"He calmly relayed that was unsure of his exact location but was able to give descriptive landmarks to better give state police cruisers searching for them a better location," State Police said. "The State Police central 911 call center in Framingham was having difficulty in getting an exact position and was only able to give the approximate area as Peabody."
"A short time later Sergeant Stephen Alteri and troopers Sean Stowe and Brian Cooper located the family on Route 95 southbound." police said. "On arrival to the scene troopers were surprised to find the young man had removed his 9-year-old special needs sister from the car and was waiting safely on the opposite side of the guardrail for help to arrive."
The boy's father was transported to Lahey North for treatment and is reported to be in good condition, according to State Police.
Pam Paine
5:33 pm on Saturday, September 8, 2012
Wow! Good job, young man! I'm sure your family is very proud of you!
Sandi Drover
5:51 pm on Saturday, September 8, 2012
This is an awesome story. We should never underestimate kids. Congratulations to this boy and I pray his father is OK.
Bella Travaglini
6:49 pm on Saturday, September 8, 2012
What an incredibly brave young man.
Glad to hear that everyone is safe.
pamela boucher
12:39 pm on Sunday, September 9, 2012
yes he did an excellent job and saved the family
sharon lanfair
11:14 pm on Monday, September 10, 2012
It is an amazing story!! I am so glad that everyone is save. Wish there was video so I could repost on my facebook of when your little sister said "My brother loves me and I love him" I am the mother of a daughter with down syndrome and know just how difficult it would have been if the circumstances were different. I really feel thank you to the Lord for Patricks quick thinking!!