Maximum praise for brave Maximus, age 4

A four-year-old boy from Barnet was praised by an ambulance crew after calling for help when his mum was injured and needed emergency help.

Maximus Mercer, known as Max, was at home when a ladder his mum had been using to get into the loft, fell and hit her head and face.

Artemis Mercer, 38, of Bevan Road, Barnet, said: "I was completely dazed and in so much pain that I don't remember very much. Luckily, I had taught Max to use the phone and he managed to call his dad."

Cab driver Stuart, also 38, had to ask his passengers to leave after he spoke to his son and frantically called for an ambulance.

London Ambulance Service Student Paramedic Claire Saunders and Emergency Medical Technician John Denham arrived at the home within minutes of the accident. Meanwhile, the control room had called Max back to get more information.

Claire said: "When we got there Max had very helpfully propped the door open for us as the emergency call taker in our control room had asked, he took us to his mum, and even found her keys so we could take her in the ambulance. He was obviously very scared but he kept it all together, was calm and unbelievably brave - we couldn't believe how young he was."

Artemis was taken to Barnet Hospital before being discharged later that day.

Claire and John were reunited with Max and his parents at Friern Barnet ambulance station, Colney Hatch Lane, where they presented him with a certificate and a toy ambulance.

Artemis added: "Max had only just turned four at the time. We always knew he was quite clever, but we're incredibly proud of him. It was fantastic to see the crew again - it's a meeting Max will remember forever."