Advertisement

Boy, 9, takes wheel after grandad's heart attack

The Local Italy
The Local Italy - [email protected]
Boy, 9, takes wheel after grandad's heart attack
The boy did not suffer any major injuries thanks to his quick-thinking. File photo: Chris Sampson/Flickr

A boy of nine has been praised for his quick-thinking when he managed to avoid disaster after his grandfather died suddenly at the wheel. Dodging passersby, the boy was able to steer the car for 500 metres before it crashed into a parked van.

Advertisement

The grandfather, aged 69, and identified by the initials A.B., suffered a sudden heart attack while driving his grandson in his Fiat Punto at around 4:40pm on Monday in the mountain town of Fiuminata, central Italy, Il Messaggero reported.

Realizing what had happened, the boy then had the presence of mind to take control of the wheel and steer the car for 500 metres, managing to dodge passing tourists and residents.

But the boy was unable to stop the car and it crashed into a parked van on the side of the road by a building site.

Thanks to the boy’s quick-thinking he was able to save his own life and no passersby were harmed.

The boy was in shock and taken to the Camerino hospital for a check-up. An initial examination found that he did not suffer any major injuries.

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also