By ANEEKA SIMONIS
SPEAKING clearly to a triple zero operator as his father was struck by sudden onset paralysis, 14-year-old Troy Lyall displayed bravery in what was a very scary situation.
His courage was commended last week with a prestigious Junior Triple Zero Hero award handed down by the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA).
At the start of last year, Troy, then 13 years of age, called triple zero when his dad Hugh Lyall suddenly became paralysed on one side of his body and experience vision problems.
The brave Emerald Secondary College student dialled triple zero and carefully assisted the emergency operators in carrying out a stroke test.
He was home alone with his dad and six-year-old sister at the time.
Troy’s father, who was later found to have suffered a major stroke, was able to watch his courageous son accept the award presented by Minister for Emergency Services Jane Garrett and comedian Dave Hughes on Wednesday 13 May.
“He was a bit overwhelmed by it all and felt proud,” Troy’s mother, a nurse, said of Hugh.
Twenty six other children were also presented with Junior Triple Zero Hero awards.
Nine-year-old Ethan Webb also took out one of the prestigious awards for calmly following an emergency worker’s instructions as his mum went into unexpected labour in their Berwick home.
The brave son helped deliver his own baby brother.
Ms Garrett said recipients such as Troy and Ethan displayed maturity far beyond their years when they made the life-saving call to emergency service operators.
“These young heroes have stood out for their bravery in situations that could send even the calmest of adults into a panic,” she said.
