Four-year-old Asher Kessell loves playing superheroes, but now it’s official... Asher is a superhero.
On 27 February, Asher dialled 111 after his mum, Rue, suffered a seizure and fell unconscious. He told Police Communicator George Nichols his name and address and that “Mum flake out, Mum need a doctor”.
Thanks to his quick actions, George was able to get an ambulance dispatched to their Matapouri home, before Asher's mum’s condition worsened.
Now Rue and Alan Kessell, who adopted Asher from a family member at birth, are calling their boy a “hero” and want to highlight to other parents the importance of teaching young children how to make a 111 emergency call, and knowing their name and home address.
During the 111 call from his home, 36km northeast of Whangārei, Asher stayed calmed, carefully following George's directions and answering all of his questions.
“My mum flake out," he said, before simply replying "yeah" when asked if she needed an ambulance.
Asher followed every instruction, confirming his home address and that his father, Alan, was at work. He checked whether his mum was breathing, attempted to wake her, and provided key details to George, including who was there with him: “Two dogs and two kitty cats at my home.”
At several points he tried shaking Rue, telling George “it’s still not working”, but he remained calm as the communicator guided him step by step from the Christchurch Emergency Communications and Dispatch Centre, 1300km away.
With Asher still on the line, George was able to contact Alan, who was only minutes away, while an ambulance was dispatched to their home.
When Alan arrived, he found Asher on the bed with his mum with the phone in his hand.
“She was still breathing but didn’t look that good," says Alan. "It wasn’t long and the ambulance arrived and took over.
“I’m just super proud of Asher."
Rue starting teaching Asher how to use her cell phone to dial 111 last November, including what to do when someone answered the call.
“Obviously he took it onboard, but you never know with a four-year-old," says Rue. "One minute he’s Spiderman and the next he’s another superhero.
"We taught him to dial 111 and when the person answered to say his name, where he lives and the house number. It worked. Now he’s our superhero."
Rue says without Asher’s quick thinking the outcome could have been very different.
“My recovery could have been much longer, or this could have been much worse. I’m so thankful for Asher. I’m having tests to work out what these seizures are.”
Asher Kessell with Senior Constable Darron Goodwin who presented the four-year-old superhero with a certificate, a soft police dog toy and some stickers as a reminder of his heroic act.
This week, School Community Officer Senior Constable Darron Goodwin paid Asher and his parents a visit. Asher was given a variety of gifts, including a framed certificate declaring him a “Superhero”.
Darron says Police wanted to acknowledge Asher’s brave actions in dialling 111, providing crucial information and following directions.
“Asher recognised something was wrong, called for help and stayed on the line," he says. "Outstanding for a four-year-old."
That sentiment was echoed by Police Communicator George Nichols.
“I was — and still am — astounded by Asher’s calmness. His parents should be very proud. It could have been a very different call if he hadn’t held himself the way he did.”
Asher is also the youngest caller George has worked with.
“I’m so glad it was Asher on the line," he says. "He really surprised me with how well he handled everything. The way he answered questions and checked on his mum was in a class of its own.”