Watch CBS News

Frightened Long Island Boy, 8, Saves Grandfather With 911 Call

LEVITTOWN, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- At 8 years old, David Chavez has a lot to learn, except how to react in a life-or-death situation.

David recently called 911 just after his grandfather blacked out, CBS 2's Emily Smith reported Friday. While first responders rushed to their Levittown home, dispatcher Patti Collins tried to keep Chavez calm.

"I am a 7-year-old boy and my grandpa just died, and I'm here alone," he told the 911 operator. "Please come."

"Is your grandfather in the house now?" Collins asked.

"What? Yeah, he already died," David answered.

"OK, wait, how do you know he died?" the 911 dispatcher asked.

"Because he fell off a chair," David said. "Please just come. I'm begging you. I'm crying. Please."

But David's grandfather, Frank Morales, was not dead. A diabetic, Morales fell off the chair and was temporarily unconscious from low blood sugar.

And David was so shaken during the call that he gave his incorrect age: He turned 8 in July.

Morales said his grandson was his hero.

"He really saved my life," Morales said. "I feel proud of him."

David said he learned what to do during an emergency when he was in kindergarten.

"I never thought he would remember, dial 911," his mother, Jacqueline Chavez, said. "But he's definitely my hero."

On the call, David began to ask Collins about bringing a friend along when emergency responders arrived.

"Can I take Rocky with me? That's the only company I have," he asked.

"What's Rocky?" the 911 operator responded.

"Rocky's my dog," David said.

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.