A mum-of-three who collapsed and went into anaphylactic shock on her bathroom floor has been reunited with the 999 call handler and ambulance crew who saved her life.
Gaynor Mallard, 36, who has a serious nut allergy, unwittingly covered her body with a moisturising cream containing nuts and collapsed at her home in Long Eaton.
Thankfully, her 14-year-old daughter Frankie was off school sick and so rang 999 when she discovered her mother struggling to breathe on their bathroom floor.
Jessica Berenzyckyj, 999 call handler, provided instructions over the phone and kept Frankie calm until Paramedic Gary Staley and Emergency Care Assistant Lynsey Burton arrived just nine minutes later.
Gaynor said: “I put the cream on and could feel the burning sensation straight away.
“I tried to get in the shower but my daughter found me collapsed on the bathroom floor. I couldn’t get any air in. I don’t remember much until the ambulance crew had given me adrenaline.
“Without Frankie, the 999 call handler and the ambulance crew, I wouldn’t be here today and we wouldn't be celebrating Christmas. I can never thank them enough.”
The incident took place at 12.06pm on 19 September, and Gaynor was taken to Queens Medical Centre.
We have also presented Frankie with a Laverick Award - a children's bravery award - to recognise her courageous actions which saved her mum's life.
999 call handler Jess said that she was impressed by how calm Frankie was on the phone.
She said: "We rarely get child callers, but Frankie's actions were textbook and she did really well by staying calm.
"Many adults would have panicked in her position, but she followed my instructions and kept reassuring her mum. She was brilliant."
