A YOUNG boy, who showed true bravery when he flagged down motorists and called 999 after his mother blacked out at the wheel of her car, has been awarded a Chief Constable’s Certificate of Recognition for his composure, initiative and brave actions.

Louie Dean, 10, and his diabetic mum Kate, from Holne Road, Wichelstowe, were driving on March 13 this year when she suffered hypoglycemia.

She immediately stopped the car and managed to call 999, but was unclear and confused, so Louie, who was just nine at the time, took over the phone call.

According to officers he was calm and composed while talking to the operator and was able to use road signs to describe where he was so that police could find them.

Louie said: “I told them where I was, but I got a bit scared because I didn’t know if she was going to wake up or not.

“I got really nervous.

“But I called the police and I told them the direction to come. They turned up and they said I was a hero.

“I was really happy with myself.”

He added that he was surprised to receive the award. “ I didn’t know I was going to get it. I was proud of myself,” he said.

The courageous young lad also tried to flag down passing motorists for help, and was on his own for almost 20 minutes before police arrived.

Kate had never told Louie what to do if she became unwell, but was bursting with pride when he picked up his award.

“I’ve got two older daughters and they know what they have to do, as they’ve seen me have hypos”, she said.

“But I have never had that conversation with Louie and he has slight learning difficulties, so he finds retaining information quite difficult which makes what he did more amazing.”

Louie received the award at a force awards ceremony in Devizes. It was given for his excellent initiative and thinking on his feet.

Chief Constable Mike Veale was full of praise and admiration for Louie.

He said: “I am continually impressed by every single person who attend these awards, in particular tonight ten-year-old Louie Dean, my new best mate, the young lad whose courageous actions saved the life of his mum.

“It’s young people like Louie, as well as all of these recipients, who make this world a better place.”