My son, my hero

Updated November 7 2012 - 3:45am, first published July 5 2010 - 12:13pm
GRATEFUL: Kathleen was rescued from the family’s crashed car by her son Christopher, 7.
GRATEFUL: Kathleen was rescued from the family’s crashed car by her son Christopher, 7.

A BRAVE seven-year-old boy has been hailed a hero for saving his mum after their car rolled while trying to miss a kangaroo.Christopher was travelling from Doreen, north-east of Melbourne, to Bendigo with his mum Kathleen, when their car rolled on the Northern Highway on Sunday night.Also in the car were his brothers, Dilon, 5, and Joeseph, who is six weeks old, and Kathleen’s 28-year-old partner, who was driving.The man tried to avoid a kangaroo on the shoulder of the road about 10pm and lost control of the 1991 Nissan Pulsar, police said.Senior Constable Karl Kerschbaumer said the car veered left off the road, hit several road signs, then clipped a tree. That caused the car to roll and it landed on its roof.Christopher grabbed his Nintendo DS and used its light to find his mum’s mobile phone.He then helped Dilon out of the car while his mum, who was still trapped, called the police and an ambulance. Christopher then helped her scramble from the car.“As soon as I got out I said ‘you’re my hero’,’’ Kathleen said.“I went to take off my jacket to put around him but he said ‘Mummy you need your jacket, you need to live’.“My kids were all so brave and I’m just relieved that we’re all alive. “It’s a miracle that we survived, someone is looking out for our family.“I’ve never been as proud of them as I am today.“It makes you realise how precious life is,’’ she said.Ambulance Victoria duty station officer Ross Barkla said it was an impressive act by Christopher.“For a seven-year-old to crawl back into a car after an accident like that is something special,’’ he said.Ambulance Victoria has nominated Christopher for a Community Hero Award for the bravery he showed.The award recognises exceptional acts during medical emergencies.Because of his actions, Christopher has been nominated for a bravery award.Senior Constable Kerschbaumer said Kathleen suffered minor injuries and was taken to Bendigo Hospital.“This boy has done a great job to get everyone out. “The roof has collapsed and it’s a wonder the injuries weren’t more serious given the condition of the car. “It just goes to show the importance of belting up.’’Kathleen, although a little bruised from the accident, said she couldn’t have been more proud of Christopher.

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