For Zac Howells, one December drive suddenly became a test of instinct, courage and extraordinary composure.
asserted
drive → become → instinct
At just 12, he found himself trying to control a moving car after his mother lost consciousness behind the wheel.
asserted
mother → find → wheel
What happened next helped avert what could have been a devastating crash.
uncertain
what → happen → ?
According to an online report by AOL, now 13, Zac is being recognised with the Child of Courage Award at the Pride of Britain Awards for his actions that day, which not only protected him and his mother but potentially prevented other road users from being caught in a serious accident.
uncertain
which → accord → accident
A routine journey takes a frightening turn
asserted
journey → take → turn
According to an AOL report, last December, Zac was travelling with his mother, Nicola Crump, from their home in Ebbw Vale towards a Christmas market in Warwickshire.
uncertain
Zac → accord → Warwickshire
The journey had begun like any other, with the pair listening to music as Nicola drove along the A40 in Herefordshire.
asserted
Nicola → begin → Herefordshire
They were travelling at around 60mph when Nicola began to feel unwell.
asserted
Nicola → travel → mph
She managed to slow the car and guide it partly onto a narrow verge.
asserted
She → manage → verge
Within moments, however, she lost consciousness.
asserted
she → lose → consciousness
The situation became even more dangerous because the automatic car remained in drive.
asserted
car → become → drive
With Nicola's foot still on the accelerator, the vehicle began moving back towards the dual carriageway and gathering speed.
asserted
vehicle → begin → speed
Zac immediately realised that something was seriously wrong.
asserted
something → realise → ?
As per the report, the 12-year-old had no time to wait for help.
asserted
old → have → help
He reached across from the passenger seat and grabbed the steering wheel, attempting to keep the vehicle under control as it moved towards the central reservation.
asserted
it → reach → reservation
He steered the car towards the barrier, using it to slow the vehicle until it finally came to a halt.
asserted
it → steer → halt
He then switched off the engine and called 999.
asserted
He → switch → 999
In the middle of the chaos, Zac also used the car's satnav to establish their location, giving emergency services the information they needed to reach them quickly, adds another report by The Forester.
asserted
report → use → Forester
The decision to use the central reservation as a means of stopping the vehicle came with its own risks, but it prevented the car from continuing into the road or potentially leaving the carriageway, adds the online report.
asserted
report → use → carriageway
Staying focused after the crash
The danger did not end when the car stopped.
asserted
car → stay → crash
Nicola remained unconscious for around seven minutes, leaving Zac to deal with the aftermath while waiting for police and paramedics, claims the report by AOL.
uncertain
report → remain → AOL
Emergency responders later found that Nicola had suffered extremely low blood pressure.
asserted
Nicola → find → pressure
She is undergoing further cardiology investigations and has not yet returned to driving, informs the AOL report.
asserted
report → undergo → driving
Yet those who responded to the emergency were struck by how composed he remained.
asserted
he → respond → emergency
His 999 call captured the seriousness of the situation, but also his immediate concern for his mother.
asserted
call → capture → mother
That combination of clear thinking and compassion became a defining part of the story.
asserted
combination → become → story
A hero in the eyes of his family
When Nicola regained consciousness, she saw emergency lights approaching and was initially confused about what had happened.
asserted
what → regain → consciousness
Zac was physically trembling but remained focused on reassuring her.
asserted
Zac → tremble → her
For his mother, the incident has brought home just how extraordinary his actions were.
asserted
actions → bring → mother
A journey that began as a simple trip to a Christmas market could easily have ended very differently.
uncertain
that → begin → market
Zac's bravery will now be formally recognised at the Pride of Britain Awards, where he will receive the Child of Courage Award at a ceremony at Grosvenor House in London on October 19.
asserted
he → recognise → October
The Aporia
