Bryanna Cook, a 6-year-old girl from Mississippi, has been recognized for her bravery in assisting emergency services in locating her family’s car after her mother suffered a stroke while driving in a rural region.
Bryanna, a first-grader at Fairview Elementary School in Columbus, was instrumental in directing emergency personnel to the location. Bryanna and her mother, Yolanda Cook, were on their way to see Bryanna’s grandmother in Preston on October 23 when the incident occurred.
According to the New York Post, Lowndes County officials have passed a resolution honoring Bryanna for her fast thinking and aid in a difficult situation.
Bryanna, 6, acted quickly when her mother became unresponsive after their car stopped in the woods due to a stroke. She took her mother’s phone and, terrified, dialed her grandmother’s number.
Bryanna’s grandmother told her to phone 911 because she couldn’t wake her mother. Bryanna initially phoned a Noxubee County dispatcher, who then connected her with Latonya Malone, a Lowndes County dispatcher.
Bryanna continued to help dispatcher Malone and first responders after her initial 911 call by providing vital information about her surroundings, the distance of the car from the road, and her mother’s condition.
Malone took use of Bryanna’s grandmother’s telephone availability to connect with her, who provided additional information about their intended destination based on their departure time.
Bryanna remained on the phone during the whole two-hour search, diligently following Malone’s instructions and assisting emergency personnel in Noxubee and Lowndes counties.
Bryanna stated that she opened the doors for fresh air, but in the process of assisting with the problem, she attempted to awaken her comatose mother by tapping her face. Bryanna and her grandmother’s information eventually led first responders to the automobile.
Yolanda Cook was brought to Macon Hospital before being evacuated to North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. Bryanna stayed at the hospital with her mother until her mother was released on October 31.
Bryanna stated that her actions were motivated by her love for her mother, and that she did everything she could to save her. During this difficult moment, Bryanna received assistance from her instructors and the school principal.
Bryanna had the opportunity to meet dispatcher Malone in person after being honored by county officials. Bryanna was praised by Fairview Principal Monte Ewing-Johnson for exemplifying the ideals that the school’s faculty strives to teach in pupils.