Five-year-old wins bravery award after car crash

A paramedic from Southend whose five-year-old son won a bravery award for his actions during a car crash has shared important advice as part of Road Safety Week.  

James Palmer, a leading operations manager for East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST), was at work when his wife Megan, 32, and two children left to travel to his mother-in-law’s. They had travelled no more than three minutes from home, along a minor side road, when their car was suddenly struck by a vehicle being reversed off a driveway. 

The vehicle hit the family car with such force it snapped the wishbone, a component which links the wheels and suspension with the chassis. This caused Megan to lose control of the steering, while the impact deployed both front airbags which knocked her glasses off and filled the car with dust. 

The car ended up coming to a stop in a garden wall, narrowly missing the front of the house.  

James, who has been with the Trust for almost 12 years, was dispatched to the scene not knowing it was his family involved.  

He said: “The children remember the sudden distress as my wife could not see a thing and the whole car was still filled with dust from the airbag. My daughter tried to get out, but her door would not open as it was wedged against a wall. My son managed to unbuckle his and his sister’s seatbelts and then took her hand and guided her out of the car.  

“My wife recalls getting out the car in mass panic and finding to her relief both children stood at the side of the road. 

“I would like to stress the importance of always wearing seatbelts and ensuring that children use age appropriate and correctly fitted car seats. 

“Everyone came away with very little injuries considering the damage to the car. The only injuries they did have were caused by seatbelts doing their job. Without them who knows what would have happened.” 

They were all assessed by EEAST clinicians and were fortunate to have sustained only minor injuries. Thankfully they all made a good recovery, however all three are nervous in vehicles and struggle on new journeys and when being driven by others.  

Little Sidney was presented with a bravery award for his courageous actions and taken to see the ambulances at Southend Station.  

James added: “Sidney was overjoyed when he got the bravery certificate and getting to see the ambulances. He had an absolute blast. He is incredibly proud of the job that his Daddy does and often dresses up in his own little uniform.  

“He was so brave that day and remembered everything we have ever spoken about around how to remain calm during times such as this.”