THREE siblings have been praised after helping to save their father’s life.

Sisters Lilly-May Williams, nine, Miya-Rose Williams, six, and their older brother Grant Briant, 14, were at home when Rob Williams suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed.

The trio kept calm and managed to find Mr Williams’ phone, which they used to call their mother Debbie for help.

Debbie dialled 999 and jumped into a taxi to get back to the family’s former home in Eastbourne.

She explained the situation to the South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) and was soon back indoors.

She and a friend who was with her followed advice over the phone and started CPR until ambulance crews arrived.

Paramedic Matthew Courtnell and emergency care support worker Aaron Brett were first on the scene and were swiftly joined by colleagues Sarah Dumelow, Scott Morley, Alan Cowley, Phil Borthwick and Gordon Piggott.

The team stayed at the scene for about two hours making Mr Williams stable enough to be taken to Eastbourne District General Hospital for further lifesaving treatment.

The three children were given commendation certificates when the family and ambulance team were reunited at Carden Primary School in Brighton yesterday, where the girls are pupils.

Mr Cowley said: “I’m delighted Rob has gone on to make such a good recovery.

“Lilly-May, Miya-Rose and Grant all stayed remarkably calm and worked together to arrange the help Rob desperately needed.

“Debbie and Rob should be very proud of them all.

“Debbie and her friend also did a great job in providing early CPR which is vital.”

Debbie said: “The girls are so young so they could have just frozen but they stayed calm and worked with Grant really well to let me know what was going on.

“We are very proud and so grateful to everyone for what they did to help Rob.

“It is lovely that we’ve been able to meet with everyone and that the children’s actions have been recognised in this way.”

Rob, 48, who is now recovering well, said; “ Without the dedication, professionalism and sheer determination to save my life I wouldn’t be here.

“The work of paramedics, doctors and everyone involved in giving life back, when all seems lost, is what makes all medical professionals the backbone of life and survival.

“They give people the chance to live again.”

The incident happened last November.

But Mr Williams’ treatment and recovery meant the family, who recently moved to Brighton, were able to enjoy a happy Christmas together.