The INEM professional who went to the boy’s school to surprise him, in an emotional gesture of public recognition.
To mark European 112 Day, INEM released the audio of the call made by Rodrigo, aged 9, who saved his mother’s life after she passed out at the wheel, in Malpica do Tejo, Castelo Branco. The child, who was in the car with his two younger brothers, remained calm, called 112 and provided essential information for the rapid arrival of emergency services.
“Hello, I’m Rodrigo”, that’s how the call began that mobilized VMER and the Castelo Branco Volunteer Firefighters, who arrived at the scene a few minutes later.
Operator João Dias, who answered the call, was now at the boy’s school, accompanied by professionals from INEM and firefighters, to thank him personally. Rodrigo was applauded by colleagues and teachers, in a moment of great emotion.
“You’re a hero, Rodrigo”, João Dias told him, highlighting the child’s exemplary behavior. INEM highlighted the case as an example of citizenship and reinforced the importance of teaching from an early age how to act in emergency situations and when to call 112.
