Sydney spoke to The Herald about her heroics, saying she was extremely worried about her mother and couldn’t help but cry as the drama unfolded.

“Mum fell and hit the floor,” said the Year 4 student.

“I tried to wake her up, but she didn’t answer me.

“I felt worried.

“I was going to call 911, but before I did, my uncle called and my dad was with him. He was shocked when I told him that mom felt dizzy and hit the floor. Then he said he was on his way so I called the ambulance,” she said.

“The lady (caller) said I should pump her nipples a bit. I was worried but I laid her on her back as she said.

“My dad came and saw my mum being checked by the paramedics. He was sad and was asking the paramedics if he was okay.

“I started to cry.

“Then when I saw my mother being carried into the ambulance, I was worried and sad.”

Maria Salud’s husband had just left for work and she had finished cooking breakfast when she suddenly began to feel dizzy on Saturday, October 12.

She said she doesn’t remember what happened next.

“When I woke up, my daughter was on my chest doing compressions while she was talking to the 911 staff. I want to acknowledge what she did and how brave she is.”

Salud was taken to Middlemore Hospital and released the next day. She was diagnosed with a syncopal episode, passing out randomly. However, the cause remains a mystery, according to her discharge notes.

The Herald approached St John for comment but they were unable to respond before deadline.

Police have resources to teach children how to use 111, advising children to “remain calm, speak slowly and clearly, give your address and phone number, answer all questions and follow all instructions, stay on line until the operator tells you it’s OK to hang up”.

Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter covering breaking news. He joined Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.

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