A Young Boy’s Determination Saves His Father’s Life in Nanaimo
June 9, 2026
A 12-year-old boy’s persistent search for assistance in the early hours of the morning led to a remarkable rescue in Nanaimo, British Columbia. A woman, Amy Pye, is receiving accolades for her swift actions in saving a man’s life, yet she credits the boy as the true hero.
Amy Pye / CHEK Media
Amy Pye was awakened by her doorbell at an unusual hour, 3 a.m. on a Saturday. Through her doorbell camera, she observed a distressed young boy outside, urgently requesting help for his father.
“He was so brave to go door to door to get help for his Dad,” stated Pye. “He saved his Dad.”
The boy had already visited three homes before reaching Pye, who fortunately answered. Upon learning of the situation, Pye quickly accompanied him back to his residence.
“We sprint. Go into his house and his Dad’s unresponsive, facedown in the bathroom,” Pye described the alarming scene she encountered.
Using her background as a former Navy reservist, Pye promptly dialed 911. Under guidance from the emergency operator, she began administering CPR and chest compressions, sustaining her efforts until paramedics took over.
Pye dedicated 10 to 15 intense minutes to the life-saving effort.
“Kept going, kept going, paramedics ran in,” Pye mentioned. “One of them knelt down with me and said, ‘I’m taking over.'”
First-aid trainer Tina Hein highlighted the difficulty of maintaining chest compressions for such an extended period.
“It’s exhausting work and often times people can maybe manage two minutes and she went for 10,” Hein noted. “So not only did she do something with incredible integrity, but she used all of her energy. Ten minutes is a long time.”
Hein is convinced that Pye’s intervention was crucial.
“Sometimes an ambulance can’t get there in time. So that woman completely saved that man’s life. I’m so proud of her,” she remarked.
BC Ambulance confirmed the man was taken to the hospital in stable condition. According to his family, he experienced a heart attack but is currently recovering.
