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Football

19th Jan 2022

Swansea City youngster prevents fatal crash after mum faints at wheel

Daniel Brown

The boys have been praised for their quick-thinking actions

A 13-year-old Swansea City footballer and his friend were able to prevent a potentially fatal car crash after his mum fainted at the wheel.

Hari Thomas, from Ferwig, and his friend Dylan Pritchard-Evans, 12, from Aberporth, were on the way home from a Swansea City Academy training session when Hari’s mum, Catrin, fainted at the wheel on the M4 near Swansea.

Sitting alongside her in the front, Hari was able to grab the steering wheel, change gear and guide the car onto the hard shoulder.

Once the car had come to a stop, Dylan – who was sitting in the back – told Hari to engage the handbrake and switch on the hazard warning lights.

The two boys, who both attend Ysgol y Preseli school, worked together to flag down passing passing motorists, who were able to help Catrin.

“We were going out of Swansea when my mum started feeling a bit sick,” Hari told the Tivy-Side.

“We were doing about 60 mph when all of a sudden she just passed out.

“Me and Dylan were on our phones when I saw her head go back – but I was able to grab the wheel and steer for the hard shoulder.”

Hari and Dylan were picked up by Hari’s uncle, while police drove Catrin to Morriston Hospital where she was later discharged after checks.

The promising young footballers were praised for their quick-thinking actions, with Hari’s mum and dad commending him for preventing a fatal accident.

Catrin, who has made a full recovery, told the Tivy-Side: “What those boys was absolutely brilliant.

“If Hari hadn’t managed to get control of the car there could have been carnage.”