Townsville teenager Hudson Hart honoured with QAS award for calling triple-0 to help mum

A Townsville teenager’s quick-thinking move which potentially prevented his mum from having a stroke has earned him a special honour.

HOME alone with just her young son, Townsville mum Tegan Hart needed an ambulance quickly as her heart raced at more than double the normal speed.

She yelled for her 13-year-old son, Hudson, whose quick-thinking and bravery potentially saved his mum from having a stroke, or worse.

Hudson’s actions in the face of a distressing situation has earned him a special honour form the Queensland Ambulance Service, which he received on Friday at Kirwan Ambulance Station.

Hudson Hart, 13, has been honoured with an award from Queensland Ambulance Service for his bravery and maturity for calling triple-0 to help his mum, Tegan Hart, who was suffering potentially life threatening Covid-19 symptoms. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“He was extremely brave and calm,” Ms Hart said.

“If I had been home alone and hadn’t had Hudson looking after me it may have been a different story.”

Hudson told the Bulletin he had just gone to bed about 11pm on July 1 when he heard his mum walking around the house.

“Two minutes later she said ‘Hudson, you need to call the ambulance, my heart is racing’,” Hudson said.

His mum’s heart was beating at 270 beats per minute (bpm) – more than double the normal heart rate of between 60bpm and 100bpm.

Hudson called triple-0, just like he had been taught before he could read or write, and calmly listened to the operator’s instructions which included taking her pulse.

His actions were so mature that the call taker mistook him for an adult.

“I was trying to keep calm for him too but I wasn’t well at all,” Ms Hart said.

Responding paramedic Emily Garn attended their house and took the reins, saying Hudson’s actions were incredibly important.

Hudson Hart, 13, has been honoured with an award from Queensland Ambulance Service for his bravery and maturity for calling triple-0 to help his mum who was suffering potentially life threatening Covid-19 symptoms. Pictured with Townsville paramedic, Emily Garn, who attended their home after the triple-0 call. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“You can only sustain a heart rate like that for so long,” Ms Garn said.

“Something like that for a long period of time could lead to a stroke or some other cardiac event. The outcome wouldn’t have been good if left unattended.

“Hudson was brilliant. He was calm, he was doing everything behind the scenes, locking doors, getting things ready for mum and staying really calm and cooperative with us.”

Ms Hart’s symptoms were a related to Covid-19, but she was released from hospital the following day.

Hudson said he was grateful to be recognised for his actions, but the biggest gift was that his mum was okay.

Originally published as Townsville teenager Hudson Hart honoured with QAS award for calling triple-0 to help mum