A 12-year-old boy from Wales is being praised by police and emergency services after his quick thinking helped prevent a serious road accident when his mother suddenly collapsed while driving on a busy dual carriageway.
Zac Howells, from Ebbw Vale, was travelling with his mother, Nicola Crump, in the early hours of the morning when she lost consciousness behind the wheel. The car was moving at close to 60 miles per hour at the time, according to reports.
The pair had set off at around 5:30am for a trip to Birmingham’s Christmas market. Zac had joined his mother at the last moment after a friend was unable to go due to illness. Nicola later said everything seemed normal when they left home, although she had not eaten breakfast and planned to stop for food along the way.
As they continued their journey, Nicola began to feel unwell while driving on the dual carriageway. She opened the window and tried to cool down, but her condition quickly worsened. She told her son she was not feeling well and attempted to pull over, but lost consciousness before she could stop the car safely.
With his mother unresponsive and her foot pressing the accelerator, the vehicle continued moving at speed. Zac tried to wake her, but when he realised she was not responding, he took immediate action. Despite his age and lack of driving experience, he reached for the steering wheel and focused on bringing the car under control.
Zac carefully guided the vehicle towards the grass verge at the side of the road, gradually slowing it down and steering it away from traffic. He managed to bring the car to a complete stop without causing a collision or injury to anyone nearby.
Once the car was safely stopped, Zac switched off the engine and called emergency services. He remained calm while speaking to the 999 operator, clearly explaining what had happened and giving accurate details about their location. He also checked on his mother, reassuring her and making sure she was still breathing.
Emergency crews arrived shortly afterward and took over the situation. Nicola was treated at the scene and later examined by paramedics. She was not injured in the incident. Medical checks indicated that she suffers from low blood pressure, and she is now undergoing further tests to determine the cause of her collapse.
Police officers who attended the scene said they were impressed by Zac’s composure and decision-making under pressure. They noted that his actions helped prevent what could have been a very serious accident, not only for him and his mother but also for other road users.
As a result of his bravery, Zac has been invited to visit police headquarters, where he will be presented with a certificate recognising his actions. Officers described him as exceptionally calm and responsible for someone his age.
Nicola has since spoken publicly about the incident, saying her son’s quick response likely saved both their lives. She described Zac as her “little hero” and said she was overwhelmed by how calmly he handled the situation.
She added that the experience was frightening but also showed how important it is for people to remain alert and act quickly in emergencies. She credited Zac’s courage and presence of mind with preventing a potentially tragic outcome.
Neither Zac nor his mother suffered lasting harm, and both are now recovering at home. The incident has drawn widespread praise from the public, with many highlighting the importance of road safety awareness and emergency response skills.
Authorities have used the incident as a reminder to drivers to take health concerns seriously and to pull over immediately if they feel unwell while driving. They also stressed the value of basic emergency knowledge, even for young people, in helping manage unexpected situations.