Heroic six-year-old from Blackpool is honoured after saving her mum's life

A six-year-old leapt into action after finding her mum collapsed on the bathroom floor '“ and has been rewarded for her bravery.
Amanda Lindop with daughter Olivia (Picture: Craig Pugh)Amanda Lindop with daughter Olivia (Picture: Craig Pugh)
Amanda Lindop with daughter Olivia (Picture: Craig Pugh)

Despite her young age, Olivia Lindop knew to call 999 after Amanda, 33, suffered a seizure, before giving the operator her address and unlocking her front door so ambulance staff could get inside.

Not only did the Year Two pupil also put her mum’s diabetes medication in a bag, she took care of her three-year-old brother Ryan while help was on its way, and got her dad’s contact details for paramedics.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Olivia’s actions in the face of adversity saw her honoured by her classmates and teachers at Blackpool’s Gateway Primary Academy, and praise heaped on her by community leaders.

Amanda Lindop with daughter Olivia (Picture: Craig Pugh)Amanda Lindop with daughter Olivia (Picture: Craig Pugh)
Amanda Lindop with daughter Olivia (Picture: Craig Pugh)

“I’m immensely proud,” Amanda, of Abbotsford Road, said. “She is a little superstar.”

The pub worker was getting ready for her shift at the Raikes when she blacked out without warning – and can’t remember any of what happened next.

She said: “I had been rushing about and got in the bath. I felt funny so I got out, wrapped the towel around me, and the next thing I knew I had three paramedics beside me.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Doctors believe Amanda collapsed due to a kidney infection, though she said she felt little more than being run-down.

Amanda Lindop with daughter Olivia (Picture: Craig Pugh)Amanda Lindop with daughter Olivia (Picture: Craig Pugh)
Amanda Lindop with daughter Olivia (Picture: Craig Pugh)

But thanks to her drilling an emergency routine into little Olivia, the youngster knew how to react.

“When me and her dad separated, it was one of the things that worried me; if anything happened and it was just me and the kids, she wouldn’t know what to do.”

And what would have happened if help hadn’t been called?

“God knows,” Amanda said. “Olivia knows she has done well, and she knows how proud we are. She got a certificate and little trophy, but I don’t think the severity of it, and the consequences of what could have happened, have hit her.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Medics initially thought Amanda may have suffered a stroke, and were on standby for her arrival at A&E on Tuesday, November 28, but she was discharged after around four hours and described the care given to her at Blackpool Victoria Hospital as ‘brilliant’.

Alicia Gibbons, Olivia’s headteacher at Gateway, in Seymour Road, said: “It was no surprise to discover Olivia’s heroic and selfless actions given she is such a caring, thoughtful pupil.”

Labour MP for Blackpool South, Gordon Marsden, said Olivia’s story is one of a ‘brave and mature girl’. 
He said: “She is a great example for young people in Blackpool.”

Related topics: