Young Victorians among those awarded for life-saving efforts by Ambulance Victoria

EVERYDAY Victorians as young as 10-year-old Jack Downard-Pengilly have been recognised with Ambulance Victoria Community Hero Awards for helping save lives.

Ambulance Victoria heroes (L-R): Taylah-Jean Hardisty, James Lowe and Jack Downard-Pengilly. Picture: Tony Gough

EVERYDAY Victorians as young as 10 years old who helped saved lives have been recognised at the annual Ambulance Victoria Community Hero Awards.

James Lowe, 12, saved his mother Joan Lowe’s life when he recognised she was having a stroke in May this year.

Ms Lowe was about to start the car when James noticed her speech was slurred and was “acting strangely”.

He stopped her from driving, and quickly called 000, and when paramedics arrived, they confirmed she was having a stroke.

Ms Lowe was able to make a full recovery thanks to James’s quick thinking.

Remarkably, James had never studied first aid.

“I just knew something wasn’t right,” James said.

And to his mum, he said: “I’m just glad you’re still here with us and you’re the best mum anyone could ever have.”

Ms Lowe said she was incredibly proud of her son.

“I thought I was fine,” she said.

“I couldn’t be more proud of him.

“He’s my hero.”

Hockey player Andrew Crowley and umpire Leanne Basham and saved the life of Simon Millar who collapsed on a Geelong hockey field after suffering a cardiac arrest. Picture: Tony Gough

Jack Downard-Pengilly, 10, just happened to be home from school in August this year when his mum Jane Downard fell and struck her head on a rock.

Thinking on his feet, he quickly called his neighbour, who called 000.

When ambos arrived, Jack helped them retrieve equipment and reassure his mother despite his own distress.

His immediate response gave his mother, who had suffered a bleed on the brain, the best chance of survival and recovery.

“I felt nervous after mum had fallen, because I wasn’t sure if she was going to wake up,” Jack said.

“I feel a lot better and more confident and I can’t wait to tell school.”

Other winners include

•Taylah-Jean Hardisty, 13

•Grant Farrell, Shaye Mulhall and Shane Scoble,

•Leanne Basham and Andrew Crowley,

•Claire Porter, Ross Hamilton and Michael Slade

•Mars Petcare Wodonga employees

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