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Five-year-old phones dad in Egypt to help save mum locked in bathroom
When five-year-old Yousef Mostafa’s mum accidentally locked herself in the bathroom of their flat on Baldwin Street, he didn’t panic and instead began an international rescue mission.
Yousef – who had only been living in Bristol for a few weeks – used his mum Nahla Zahran’s mobile phone to call his father in Egypt and tell him what was happening, with both he and his three-year-old brother inside.
His father called a friend in London, who contacted the Metropolitan police, who then contacted Avon & Somerset Police.
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When the police arrived at the flat with the fire brigade on Sunday afternoon, Nahla Zahran had been trapped in the bathroom for four hours.
PCSO Lauren Holt said: “This job initially came in as a concern for welfare. When we arrived I was amazed at how calm and sensible the children were, especially given the fact they have only been in this country for a few weeks and speak very little English.
“Yousef had been speaking with his dad in Egypt on the phone, which had obviously helped to keep him calm. His dad had told him to stay in the flat. When we got there, he and his brother were watching cartoons in the kitchen.”
The locking mechanism on the bathroom door handle had broken and the door was very thick, so firefighters had to use a sledge hammer to get through the door.
PCSO Holt added: “When Mrs Zahran was finally freed she just ran to her kids crying and hugging them, it was really lovely. She must have been so relieved that they were safe.
“Yousef is amazing – what a brave little boy, I can’t believe he only turned five a few days ago, he is so sensible and should be very proud of himself.”
Avon Fire and Rescue group manager Sarah Allen said: “Yousef was very brave and we were very pleased to help reunite him and his brother with their mother.”
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