Children are incredibly inquisitive creatures with an enthusiasm to learn more about the world around them, and while for some that may simply mean asking a variety of questions at every available opportunity, for others it is more of a physical pursuit.

One little boy, whose natural curiosity unfortunately resulted in a five-hour ordeal, has managed to turn a negative into a positive and decided that he would like to embark on the same career as the people who recently rescued him from a very sticky situation.

Four-year-old Leo Shorthouse, who comes from a very remote town 1000 km west of Cairns Australia, was captivated after encountering his first vending machine while on a trip to Melbourne with his father, and like many children, sought to learn more by examining the machine's various features.

Unfortunately for Leo, his hand became stuck in the machine's claw-like anti-theft mechanisms - a turn of events which, according to The Guardian, required the assistance of 12 emergency service crew members who worked tirelessly to free the child while simultaneously downplaying the severity of the situation.
 



Speaking to the press, a spokesman for Melbourne Fire Brigade explained: "There was a threat because his hand was wedged in there we could have caused further injury ... but more importantly was bearing in mind his welfare, not to stress him out."

Leo, who had to be sedated numerous times during the five-hour ordeal, spoke on the phone to his mother, Dr. Molly Shorthouse, at various points during the procedure and admitted he was frightened by the events unfolding around him.

Speaking to the press, Molly praised the emergency service personnel who tended to her child, saying: "It takes a special kind of person to choose such a career and they all proved that yesterday."

"As a mental health doctor I often see the effects of trauma in emergency workers, and I don’t think the public realise just how intense the work is that they do," she insisted before revealing that their tireless efforts had had a profound impact on her little boy who has announced that he too wants to become a fireman.

We think Leo is an incredibly brave little boy.

 

SHARE to celebrate both Leo's courage and the emergency services' tireless efforts.

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