Schoolboys save elderly woman after hearing her cries for help while trick or treating

Two schoolboys saved an elderly woman after hearing her cries for help while trick or treating.

Both boys, who are from Melbourne and in the sixth grade, went out in the suburb of Ferntree Gully when they heard a cry for help from an elderly woman’s home.

Children in the sixth grade in Australia are usually aged between 11-12. The ages of the two boys have not been specified.

3AW Melbourne/7News

When trick-or-treaters Jake Grimshaw and Roy Manning arrived outside the home of Esma O’Neill, 81, they heard her cries for help. The grandmother-of-six had fallen inside her home and was badly injured and unable to move for almost 20 minutes.

Jake and Roy called out to Esme and quickly realised they’d have to take matters into their own hands.

“I heard someone calling out for help, and I said, ‘Are you OK?’ And she said, ‘No, I’ve fallen over, and I can’t get up’,” Jake told 7News.

The two friends followed her directions and located the spare key to open Esma’s door, while Jake ran to find help. Roy stayed behind with Esma to keep her calm until paramedics arrived.

7News

Roy and Jake couldn’t have come at a better time because the situation could have ended in tragedy. Once Esma was rushed to hospital, she underwent surgery on Wednesday (1 November) for a broken leg. She will spend the next few weeks in hospital recovering, and Jake and Roy are planning to visit her once she’s home.

Reflecting on the situation, Roy said it was ‘a bit scary’.

Emsa’s family have expressed their gratitude, with her son Dean sharing how ‘proud’ he is of the two boys for helping his elderly mum.

“They’d propped Mum up with some pillows behind her lounge chair and one of them just comforted her,” he said.

“I’m so proud of you two,” he told the boys.

“When I think about it now, you can hear it in my voice, it’s very emotional, to have that presence of mind.”

Jake said: “I felt sad, but also happy that we saved her.

“She was really thankful, and she said, ‘Thank you, sweet boys.’”

Despite the unexpected turn their Halloween night took, the two boys didn’t go back home empty handed.

I got about two buckets worth,” Jake said, about the sweets they both got.

“Yeah, we got heaps,” Roy added.

Topics: News, Australia, Halloween, Health, Life, Real Life

Gregory Robinson

Gregory is a journalist working for Tyla. After graduating with a master's degree in journalism, he has worked for both print and online publications and is particularly interested in TV, (pop) music and lifestyle. He loves Madonna, teen dramas from the '90s and prefers tea over coffee.