Shropshire Star

Police praise boy’s ‘life-saving’ action after mum passes out at wheel

Quick-thinking 12-year-old William McIntosh steered car out of danger when his mother fell ill while driving

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Police have praised a boy’s quick thinking that possibly saved lives in a heroic driving manoeuvre.

William McIntosh’s mother Emma passed out behind the wheel of the family’s Nissan X-Trail, sending it into the opposite carriageway, but the 12-year-old bravely steered the 4×4 away from oncoming traffic. The SUV hit an electricity pole and bank, ending up back in the carriageway.

His mum was reported to have suffered an insect bite or sting before beginning the journey and thought nothing of it, but she passed out 10 minutes later.

The incident happened on the A346 towards Marlborough, Wiltshire, about 5.50pm on October 10, and PC Leigh Mayhew, of Wiltshire Police, said: “William had the presence of mind to take control of the car, and although it did strike the side of an oncoming car, had he not done what he did, the collision could have been extremely serious. Fortunately, nobody was seriously injured.

“Emma’s condition was initially thought to be life-threatening and she was taken to the Great Western Hospital, but was later found to have suffered only minor injuries and it is believed she had passed out as a result of a reaction to an insect bite.

“I feel that William’s actions potentially saved his life, his mother’s, and that of any drivers coming in the opposite direction.”

The road was closed for some three hours while emergency services attended the scene.

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