Hero TJay saves his mum’s life
TJay Gaskell, from Airedale, has received a special award for saving his mum's life last christmas. Pictured with his mum, Roxanne. p303a236
LITTLE hero TJay Gaskell has been given a top bravery award for saving his mum’s life.
The quick-thinking 11-year-old called 999 after he found his mum Roxanne lying unconscious on the living room floor at their home in Queen’s Park Drive, Airedale.
The Airedale Academy pupil has been presented with a Royal Humane Society award for his courage in phoning the emergency services and looking after his three-year-old twin sisters while they waited for help after his mum’s collapse just before Christmas.
Mum Roxanne Gaskell, 28, said: “I am so proud of TJay and how well he coped with things.
“If he hadn’t done what he did straight away I wouldn’t be here today and I can’t thank him enough for that.
“I didn’t know it was TJay who had saved my life until the next day when the police told me how amazing he had been and what a smashing lad he is.
“I think it’s very important that people how show bravery like TJay’s are recognised so they know they have done something special.”
The young Castleford Tigers’ fan received his award from Wakefield police Chief Supt Marc Callaghan last week.
TJay, who plays for Townville Tigers rugby club, had been upstairs at the family home on December 19 when his mother collapsed in the living room.
He quickly rang 999, providing accurate details to the operator about what had happened.
He also called a family friend for help, while keeping an eye on his three-year-old sisters Lily and Tayla, who were sleeping.
Mrs Gaskell was taken by ambulance to Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield for treatment.
Ch Supt Callaghan said: “It was a real pleasure for me to present this award to TJay whose bravery and quick-thinking has without a doubt saved his mum’s life.
“It must have been a terrifying experience for a boy as young as TJay to come down and see his mother like that and it’s quite remarkable he reacted in the way he did, and summoned help so quickly by providing such clear guidance for emergency services on the phone.
“TJay is a real credit to his family and his community and his recognition is richly deserved.”
Inspt David Bugg of Castleford neighbourhood policing team, said: “This young man kept his head in circumstances which would have had many adults panicking and it is thanks to his actions that this event had a happy ending.”
TJay was also rewarded with a signed Castleford Tigers rugby ball, vouchers and a tour of the police’s Carr Gate specialist operation training facility in Wakefield.
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Tuesday 21 May 2013
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