A BRAVE four-year-old girl saved her mum's life after she called 999 for help when she collapsed.

Mya has been praised for her quick thinking after she called for help when her mum Rachel suffered a medical episode.

The four-year-old had only been taught about 999 at school the week before half-term when she was home alone with her mum.

Rachel, 25, suffers from Functional Neurological Disorder, a condition that can cause stroke-like symptoms and seizures.

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Late that evening, Rachel had an episode and collapsed to the floor in the downstairs hallway of their home in Hamble.

Little Mya phoned 999 on her mum's phone and spoke to police controller Paul Dawes.

Mya told him her mum had fallen over and was 'sleeping'.

She told him their home address and their full names before opening the door to let the police in.

Rachel said: "I don't have much memory of what happened, unfortunately, apart from what police and paramedics told me and a little from what Mya has told me.

"Mya was trying to wake me up but couldn't. Weirdly enough Mya's school had just taught them about 999 a week before. It was perfect timing because she knew exactly what to do.

"I obviously couldn't remember what she said but when I came round the police and paramedics said Mya had called them. I couldn't believe it, I didn't know she knew how to do that.

"I said, 'my four-year-old called you on my phone?' and they said 'yeah she did really well', she was able to say our names and where we lived."

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Yesterday, Mya and Rachel visited the control room in Netley to meet some of the team, and she was presented with a certificate for her bravery.

Rachel said: "I'm really, really proud of her. I'm amazed that she was able to do that and that she knew what to say and stayed so calm and didn't panic.

"We spoke to Mya's school about what she did and she got to stand up in front of her class to tell them what she had done.

"I just want to say a big thank you to the man who answered the phone because he kept her calm and kept her on the phone, sometimes with four-year-olds they can get easily distracted so he did a really good job.

"I'm so grateful for all the help from the police and paramedics."

Paul Dawes, 45, added: "For a four-year-old she did so well. I was just doing my job, it was her who was so impressive for such a young girl.

"I have been a controller for 13 years. It can be a rewarding career. It is tough work but when calls come in like this one and we get a positive outcome, it makes it all worthwhile."

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