A SCHOOLGIRL has been hailed a hero after she stopped her baby brother's pram rolling into a busy road when her mum Ellen suffered an epileptic fit.

Ruby Barnes, aged eight, sprang into action when mum Ellen collapsed in Bury Road, Bolton.

Ruby grabbed brother Dexter's pram before it could go into the road and used her mum's mobile phone to call for help as she lay at the side of the road.

The incident happened on Tuesday afternoon as Mrs Barnes was walking Ruby home from Moorgate Primary School in Tonge Fold.

Mother-of-three Mrs Barnes, aged 28, of Hilton Avenue, Bolton, said: “This was the first time it has ever happened with no-one around to help me and unfortunately this was also one of the worst fits I have experienced.

"I felt my head, shoulders and arms seize up and as I fell to the ground I let the pram go and it started rolling towards the road.

"Ruby was just amazing in the way she took control of the situation. We have talked a lot to her about what she needs to do but for her to respond like that was truly amazing.

"If she hadn’t done what she did then the pram would have ended up in the middle of Bury Road and I dread to think of what might have happened.”

Mrs Barnes, who who has suffered with epilepsy since she was 11, eventually came round and recovered at her mum's nearby home.

She regularly suffers from epileptic fits but can usually rely on husband Mathew as well as other family members to help.

Mrs Barnes said her daughter has been very humble regarding her actions and doesn’t think she did anything special. She said: “For her it is just normal, she keeps saying that she is not a hero because she just wanted to help her mum.

"I asked her how she felt when it happened and she said she was scared and crying on the inside but that she didn’t want me to see that so she tried to be brave.”

Speaking about the incident, Ruby said: “It was really scary and I just wanted to help my mum. She taught me what to do and I am happy that she is ok.”

News of Ruby’s brave actions reached the staff at Moorgate who paid tribute to the youngster with a special presentation.

Headteacher Debbie Hopwood said: “Everyone at the school is proud beyond words of Ruby.

“She is a real star and an extremely sensible, studious and likeable girl with lots of friends. She is so humble about what she did, she didn’t actually tell anyone — we found out through a member of staff.

“It is remarkable to respond so well in any situation like that — but when it is your own mum, for many people all reason would go out of the window but she was amazing.”

Ruby has also been praised by national charity Epilepsy action.

Spokesman Chantal Spittles said: “Ruby is a real star. Her quick thinking and brave actions helped to avert a potentially life-threatening situation for both her mum and baby brother.

“She did exactly the right thing in going to get help and is a great example of how young children can be taught what to do when someone has a seizure.”