Brave children’s quick thinking saves granny from car fireball
Grandchildren stayed calm and snapped into action as car caught fire
A BRAVE brother and sister from Ederney have spoken about how they saved their own lives and their precious granny’s life when her car caught on fire.
Chloe (11) and Adam (9) Sproule’s quick thinking in August of this year helped save their lives and their granny’s life when the car they were travelling in caught fire on the way to Omagh from Castlederg.
They had learned what to do in this scenario due to a previous visit of a firefighter to their school; Kesh Primary School.
The children’s granny, Sandra Bogle – who was driving the car at the time – said: “Only they were there it would have been a very different story. Chloe was the one who smelt the smoke, it was very scary on the day.
“They put the skills they learned in school to the test and were very brave. A lot of us would have panicked, but they were very good, and I am very proud of them.”
Chloe, who had just turned 11 when the incident occurred, explained what happened on August 30. Speaking to The Impartial Reporter, she said: “We were driving and I saw smoke, and a sign came up on the dashboard, and the car started to slow down and then I told everyone to get out.”
She added: “It was scary as granny couldn’t smell the smoke [due to a medical procedure] and the smoke got worse. When we got out the car went up in flames straight away.”
Speaking about the incident and her bravery, Chloe modestly said: “It is very hard to be brave.”
Adam had been feeling unwell that day but still was able to recall key safety information and follow instruction to help save Chloe and his granny.
The children’s mum, Christina
Sproule, praised the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) for their actions on the day, and said: “My sister was following the car, and she came upon the car fire and she said the firefighters were fantastic with the children in keeping them safe and keeping them calm. The firefighters took control of the situation.”
Adam added: “The firefighters put a blue light in the road to stop the traffic.
Skills
The two children had learned the skills from the visit of a firefighter from NIFRS to Kesh PS, where the firefighter described what to do in certain situations a number of years ago, with the children remembering the life-saving advice they were told.
Chloe added: “The firefighter came to school when I was in P5, and someone asked a question about what do in a car fire, and they said, ‘Get out, stand at a safe distance, and call 999’.”
The pair were honoured with certificates for their conduct and were hosted for a special visit to Enniskillen Fire Station.
Adam said: “I was chuffed when we were invited to the fire station; they gave us tea, bottles of waters, traybakes, and buns. The firefighters gave us a big clap and we got to see them do some training.”
Mum Christina said: “We found out later that night that one of the firemen who was there on the day of the car fire was there too. They asked the firefighters lots of questions; the whole day was for Chloe and Adam.”
A spokesperson from NIFRS said: “We would like to say a big well-done to Chloe and Adam Sproule. They found themselves involved in a car fire in August, but thanks to their situational awareness and quick thinking, they prevented serious injury to themselves and others.”
Speaking about what they had learnt from the incident, Chloe and Adam said: “You must be brave, stay calm and listen about safety in school, because it will help you one day, and you never know when you might use it.”