Young boy stands beside car on grass verge after steering vehicle to safety when mother fainted

Boy, 12, Saves Mom After She Faints Behind the Wheel

🦸 Hero Alert

When his mother lost consciousness while driving, 12-year-old Zac Howells grabbed the steering wheel, steered the car to safety, and calmly called emergency services. His quick thinking and courage earned him a police commendation and prevented what could have been a tragic accident.

A 12-year-old boy became a real-life hero when his quick thinking saved both himself and his unconscious mother from a potentially deadly car crash.

Zac Howells was riding with his mother Nicola on December 14, 2024, when she suddenly fainted behind the wheel. Her foot stayed pressed on the accelerator as the car continued speeding forward.

Most kids would panic. Zac kept his cool.

He first tried to wake his mother, but when she didn't respond, he didn't hesitate. He reached over, grabbed the steering wheel, and carefully guided the moving vehicle onto a grass verge to slow it down.

Once the car finally stopped, Zac switched off the engine and immediately dialed 999. The emergency call recording captures his calm voice as he gave the dispatcher their exact location so officers could find them quickly.

Boy, 12, Saves Mom After She Faints Behind the Wheel

Neither Zac nor his mother suffered any injuries during the terrifying ordeal. Nicola recovered after the incident, and both are doing well.

Why This Inspires

Zac's story shows what young people are capable of when it matters most. While many adults would freeze in panic, this 12-year-old assessed the danger, remembered safety steps, and executed them perfectly under pressure.

West Mercia Police recognized Zac's extraordinary bravery with a Chief Constable's Commendation, one of the force's highest honors. The award acknowledges actions that go far beyond what's expected and demonstrate exceptional courage.

What makes Zac's actions even more remarkable is how he handled the aftermath. After steering a speeding car to safety, he didn't fall apart or wait for help to arrive. He took charge, turned off the engine, and made sure emergency services knew exactly where to find them.

His calm voice on the 999 call reveals a maturity well beyond his years. There's no screaming, no confusion, just clear information delivered under the worst possible circumstances.

Stories like Zac's remind us that heroes come in all ages, and sometimes the bravest among us haven't even reached high school yet.

More Images

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Based on reporting by Independent UK - Good News

This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.

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