A 12-year-old boy from Somerset has been hailed a hero after saving his family from carbon monoxide poisoning by recognising the deadly gas's symptoms from a school lesson.
Oliver, a pupil at King Arthur's Community School in Wincanton, sprang into action when his mother and sister began experiencing severe headaches and nausea – classic signs of carbon monoxide exposure.
The Moment of Recognition
"I remembered our PSHE lesson where we learned about the silent killer," Oliver told reporters. "When Mum and my sister started feeling ill and our carbon monoxide alarm went off, I knew we had to get out immediately."
The quick-thinking youngster helped his family evacuate their home and called emergency services, potentially saving their lives.
Emergency Response
Fire crews arriving at the scene confirmed dangerous levels of carbon monoxide from a faulty boiler. All family members were treated at hospital and have since made a full recovery.
"Without Oliver's actions, this could have had tragic consequences," said a spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service. "His story demonstrates the vital importance of both carbon monoxide alarms and safety education."
School's Pride
Oliver's headteacher, Jemma Mitchell, expressed immense pride in her pupil: "We teach these lessons hoping they'll never be needed, but Oliver's story shows how crucial this knowledge can be. He's an inspiration to us all."
Local authorities are now using Oliver's story to promote carbon monoxide safety awareness across Somerset schools and communities.
