A SCHOOLGIRL who gave first aid to boy after he fell beneath a bus and live streamed the incident to paramedics has been given an award.

The heroic actions of Karla Fish have earned her the praise of the emergency services after she used a school tie and her PE kit to help the 12-year-old when his leg was crushed on the way home from school.

Karla, who has just turned 15, and is a Fire Cadet with County Durham Fire and Rescue Service, recently received a Young Hero Award from Durham Constabulary.

Now she has been given a Chief Fire Officer’s commendation from the brigade boss Stuart Errington, who said he was impressed at how she had used skills learned during her time as a cadet.

He said: “When I listen to the story, I think if this had been a member of staff we would have been exceptionally proud.

“To do it when you’re off duty and on your own is quite challenging.

“When you consider this is a 14-year-old girl, just off the school bus, showing that level of leadership it makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and gives us reassurance about what we’re doing through the cadet scheme.”

He added: “Could I have done that at 14? I’m not sure I could have. I look forward to seeing you here as a fulltime firefighter at some point.”

The incident happened on July 16 as Karla got off the bus in Consett on her way home from St Bede’s School in Lanchester.

After hearing the boy’s screams she rushed over to help and dialled 999 using her mobile phone.

She then activated a link sent to her by Great North Air Ambulance so they could assess the severity of the injury and give her advice on how to treat the patient.

Area manager Keith Wanley said: “She remained calm and in control despite the distressing nature of this situation.

“Karla acted with maturity using her initiative and in doing so helped to save the boy’s life.”

Karla received her award at the fire service’s headquarters in Belmont, Durham, in front of members of the fire service authority and senior officers on Monday.

She said: “It is weird. It is quite overwhelming because I did not expect anything like this to happen.”

After the award ceremony Karla and her parents, Mark and Christine, were given a tour of the headquarters.

Mrs Fish said: “That evening when she came is in it was just another evening. It was not until later on when we realised what she had done. This morning has been quite emotional. We are extremely proud of her.”