A FIVE-year-old girl who called 999 and saved her mum’s life has been reunited with the call handler from Salisbury who sent for help.

Zaynab Qasim, who turned six last week, had arrived home after finishing a day of school to see her mum fall unconscious outside their home in East London. Unable to wake her up, Zaynab quickly became scared and called 999.

In a recording of the 999 call, call handler Natasha White, originally from Salisbury before moving to London for university, asked Zaynab if her mum was awake and breathing in which the schoolgirl responded no to both questions. 

Ms White, who attended Britford Primary School and South Wilts Grammar School, said: “Zaynab did so brilliantly on the call. She managed to stay calm and was able to give me her full address and landmarks which made it easy for the ambulance crew to reach her mum.”

Salisbury Journal:

An ambulance crew quickly arrived to help mum, Samina Iqbal, who was later found to have suffered from a debilitating migraine which caused her to collapse.

Ms Iqbal said: “I’m so proud of Zaynab! She literally helped me in such a stressful situation while staying so calm.

“We actually never taught her to call 999, but because of an incident that happened to a close family member in the past, Zaynab has always known that in the event of a medical emergency you should call an ambulance.

“I now think all parents should teach their children how to make emergency phone calls.”

On the April 13, Zaynab was able to meet Ms White at the Service’s headquarters in Waterloo, awarding her with a certificate of bravery. 

Along with Ms White, Zaynab was able to meet LAS Chief Medical Officer Dr Fenella Wrigley and Director of 999 Operations, Stuart Crichton with both Ms Iqbal and Zaynab’s dad, Muhammad, accompanying her. 

Mr Crichton said: “Zaynab is a very clever girl and a credit to her parents! Teaching your child how to call 999 in an emergency could save your life.

“You don’t need to unlock a phone to make a 999 call but it is important that children know their full address and how to open the front door in an emergency."

Salisbury Journal: Zaynab and Natasha in the LAS Emergency Operations CentreZaynab and Natasha in the LAS Emergency Operations Centre (Image: London Ambulance NHS Trust)