9-year-old credited as hero for helping grandfather in emergency

A boy visiting his Clark County grandfather has been credited as a hero by local authorities for calling 9-1-1.

Austin Brewer, 9, lives in North Carolina but was in town visiting family on Wednesday, June 12.

The young boy said he was watching a scary movie at his grandfather’s home when something scary happened. His grandfather, Gary Brewer, fell unexpectedly.

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“He was at his door and then he fell in the dining room, face first … I yelled his name like five times but he didn’t wake up,” Austin said.

Gary Brewer was also bleeding so the young boy called 9-1-1 and Clark County Dispatcher Caitlin Benner answered the phone and gave instructions. She said she was surprised by how calm the child was during the stressful situation.

“I mean the whole time he stayed really calm. I asked him to do a few things. He did amazing,” Benner said. “I’ve never had someone that young stay that calm the whole time.”

She said she was so proud of Austin she had to tell others about him, especially Clark County Sheriff Deb Burchett.

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The sheriff recognized him Monday at a special ceremony at the Clark County Sheriff’s Office with a Young Citizen’s Award. She said his actions made a big difference in getting an ambulance to his grandfather in a timely manner.

His grandfather only remembers being woken by the paramedics. He said he thanks his grandson for possibly saving his life.

“I call him my little hero,” Gary Brewer said.

Austin’s grandfather stayed in the hospital for four days.

“My eye was really bad and they said they found blood on the brain,” Gary Brewer said.

Another scan showed it had later gone away. He’s made a full recovery and is doing OK now.

He hopes others learn from this incident and teach their children how to dial 9-1-1 just in case something similar happens to them.

“I’m proud of my grandson that he was smart enough to do what he did,” Gary Brewer said.

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