Matteo, from Colognola ai Colli near Verona in the northern Veneto region, was on his way to play football with friends when he heard a woman screaming as a man lay in a nearby field.
“My only fear was that he was dead,” said Matteo, adding that he then called the emergency services before performing open heart massage under the guidance of the telephone operators for 10-15 minutes until the ambulance arrived.
Colognola Mayor Giovanna Piubello, a midwife who delivered Matteo, said the boy would be rewarded for his endeavour.
“Bravo Matteo! He did what many adults all too often fail to do: overcome the temptation to look the other way and take responsibility when faced with an emergency and a request for help,” said Veneto Governor Luca Zaia.
ANSA
