THREE 11-year-olds have been praised as lifesavers after rushing to the aid of a diabetic schoolmate who fell ill.

Pals Keaton Adams, Hubert Bochniak and Kieran Whiteside were walking home from Our Lady and St John’s School, Blackburn, when they saw year 9 student Dylan Ferguson in distress last Monday afternoon.

Keaton knew Dylan was diabetic and came to his aid. Dylan was having a hypoglycaemic episode or a “hypo”, where the level of sugar in the blood drops too low.

He said: “We were all walking back together and we were just having a bit of fun.

“Then I saw Dylan sitting on the pavement and went over to ask him if he was okay and whether had he rung anyone to see if someone was coming.

“He was sweating and stuttering. We decided we needed to get him back to the school. As he was walking he needed our help and to hold onto the fence but we managed to get him back to reception.”

When they got back to school, his blood sugar readings were 1.9 but the school managed to get the levels back up.

Lisa Bond, diabetic co-ordinator and attendance welfare officer at the school, said: “I am so proud of the boys that they brought him back to school. Dylan’s mum had called to ask if we knew where he was because he had phoned to say he was not well.

“They are a shining example of what kids can do and it proves there is more to kids than how they are portrayed. They were able to help someone who needed it.

“If they had not helped him he could have gone into a coma.”

Hubert said: “I did not know what diabetic meant but Kieran told me and I am happy we helped him.”

Keiran added: “My mum and dad wanted to know where we were but they were really happy that we helped.”

Dylan said: “I am just happy that they came to help me and am really lucky they came when they did.”

Headteacher Peter Tite said: “The actions taken by Keaton, Hubert and Keiran are a great example of the way our young people support each other at Our Lady and St John’s.

“Their quick thinking may have saved Dylan’s life. They are a credit to their families.”