AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD girl raised the alarm when her great-grandad collapsed at his home.

Maia Bryant from Bexhill immediately alerted the rest of her family when she discovered 87-year-old Leo Turtle slumped on the floor and barely conscious after he suffered a stroke.

The youngster, who has autism, has been praised for her actions after she was able to make sure her family called 999 as quickly as possible so Mr Turtle could get the help he needed.

South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) technician Kate Sayers was first on the scene and shortly followed by paramedic Phil Ibrahim and emergency care support worker Coral Martin.

Mr Turtle was taken to Eastbourne District General Hospital following the incident in May where he is continuing to improve.

Maia’s grandfather Tony said: “Those who know Maia will know it can be difficult for her to follow instructions due to her autism but she did everything that was asked of her by myself and the paramedics. She was just such a great help to all of us.”

Maia and her family enjoyed a surprise trip to the Hastings Make Ready Centre and was shown around the ambulance station.

Mr Ibrahim explained all the emergency equipment inside an ambulance and instructed her on how to immobilise a broken arm.

He then presented Maia with a chief executive commendation certificate for her quick thinking in sensing something was wrong and for her helpful actions once paramedics were on scene.

Mr Ibrahim said: “I’m really pleased that we have been able to recognise Maia’s help on that day.

“It can’t have been easy for her to handle such a distressing situation but she did extremely well and her great grandfather and all her family can be very proud of her.”

Tony Bryant added: “We all had a lovely time at the station and I would like to thank Phil, Coral and Kate who came so quickly to help my dad.

“He is still in hospital but recovering well and he hopes to be able to come home soon.

“I just want to say thank you to all of the staff on the road and to those working hard in the background as they do such a wonderful and difficult job day in day out.”