Hero Harry, 5, to the rescue after mum collapsed

Cool-headed Harry Finch dialled 999 and even reassured his two-year-old sister when mum Nicola Rigby passed out and banged her head on a coffee table.

The quick-thinking five-year-old, who was only four at the time of the emergency, has now been honoured by the ambulance service and his beloved Wigan Athletic for his courage.

Nicola, 25, and dad Carl Finch, 30, have today spoken of their huge pride in their son.

Nicola said: “I don’t know how he stayed so calm, if that had happened to me I would have panicked. We’re so proud of him. Not only was he talking to the ambulance officers, he was also re-assuring his sister that mummy would be okay.”

Potential disaster struck when Nicola, who had been suffering from dizzy spells, passed out when Carl was out of their Platt Bridge home one evening.

Nicola had spoken to her son about what to do if such a situation arose but Harry went several steps further as North West Ambulance Service staff said he spoke articulately to them, passing on the family’s address and explaining what had happened.

The boy even informed officers the door was locked from the inside and he would open it when they arrived. This was all done while caring for little sister Lily.

Nicola added: “Teaching him what to do in that situation was one thing but for him to be able to do it under pressure is completely different. He stayed calm throughout.”

Once an ambulance crew arrived Nicola had regained consciousness and, having been taken to Wigan Infirmary, has since recovered from the ordeal.

Hero Harry, who is a Latics fan, will be handed a North West Ambulance Service young life-saver award this week and was honoured at pitch-side at the DW Stadium on Saturday.

The five-year-old has also received plenty of plaudits and admiration from his teachers and friends at Platt Bridge Community Primary School.

Nicola said: “He did get spoiled on his birthday but how could we not after this? He has been saying to us, in a proud voice, that he is getting an award for ringing the ambulance.

“The school has given him a certificate and all the staff have been very supportive, as have Wigan Athletic.”

Unfortunately for Harry though he did not get chance to meet his favourite player as ‘keeper Ali Al-Habsi no longer plays for the Latics.