It was Mother’s Day, a time for moms to be honored by their children.

That afternoon, Jennifer Emrey and her children packed into their family vehicle to meet her husband and their father, Dean Emrey, along with several family members, for dinner.

Nothing could prepare the Parryville family for what was about to happen next.

While driving, they were involved in a motor vehicle crash.

As a result, Jennifer’s son, Ashton, 10, struck the side of his face, was unconscious, and bleeding badly from a broken nose. Ashton also had a few facial fractures and a concussion.

Jennifer’s seat belt became hot and melted into her jacket, making it difficult for her to get her seat belt off.

Upon impact, the air bag released, and caused injuries to Jennifer’s daughter, Emma, 12, whose upper jaw was fractured. A portion had broken off the front, leaving an open wound and was bleeding badly.

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Emma to the rescue

Despite being seriously injured, Emma, a seventh-grader at Lehighton Area Middle School, managed to rescue her brother, a fourth-grader at East Penn Elementary School, and stopped a driver to request they call 911.

Jennifer said Emma held pressure on her mouth, said she was OK, and asked what she should do.

“I couldn’t get free and told her to get Ashton out carefully and make sure he could breathe,” Jennifer said. “She had him nearly out before I could get free.”

Jennifer said they were able to get Ashton into the grass and laid him on his side.

As Jennifer looked for her phone, Ashton started slowly regaining consciousness.

“My understanding is that at this same time, Emma approached a passer-by and told him to call 911,” Jennifer said. “When she returned I was also on with 911, and Ashton began saying things like he couldn’t move, couldn’t see, and he kept wanting to go to sleep.”

Jennifer said Ashton’s breathing didn’t seem regular, so she started counting breaths with him.

“When I had to answer questions for the dispatcher, Emma immediately took over counting with Ashton, telling him he was OK, and that he should stay awake and breathe with her,” she said.

Jennifer said the ambulance arrived very quickly, and as paramedics took over caring for Ashton, she and Emma were taken to the second ambulance.

“I was upset of course, but despite Emma still holding a broken portion of her jaw in place, she was cracking jokes and chatting with everyone the whole way to the hospital,” she said.

Jennifer said Emma was unable to eat or drink until her jaw could be repaired. She went into surgery at midnight, and because of her age, was awake through the process.

Ashton also needed surgery to repair his fractures, Jennifer said.

“For days, she kept telling me it could have been worse. Injuries heal, everyone will be OK,” she said.

Emma honored

Emma was recognized recently for her heroic efforts by Keystone Karate, located at the Pyramid Sports Performance Center in Lehighton.

For starters, Emma — who is in her third year as a karate student at Keystone Karate — received a citation for heroism from state Rep. Doyle Heffley.

In addition, she also received an award from Keystone Karate in honor of the late Kayla Knepper, who passed away recently.

Afterward, Emma proved yet again she’s wise beyond her years.

“I don’t really like to be famous for those kind of things,” Emma said. “Sadly, some people don’t make it through it.”

Emma said she was not expecting the huge fanfare that she received.

“No, not at all,” she said. “I expected a small piece of paper saying that I’m good at karate.”

Jennifer recalled how serious the circumstances were after the crash, and how Emma coached Ashton through breathing as he went in and out of consciousness.

“She handled it with such grace,” she said. “It’s been a very rough year for her. It’s good to see her smiling.”

No ordinary 12-year-old

Emma is the youngest active member of the National Canoe Safety Patrol.

She is trained in Swiftwater rescue and participates as a volunteer patrol on the upper Delaware River.

Aside from safety patrol, Emma loves her pony and horseback riding, is a passionate skier, kayaker and hiker, and helps with animal rescue.

“Emma is definitely not your average 12-year-old girl, and we love her and are so very proud of her,” Jennifer said.

From her family, Emma received new rescue gear, and her jacket was personalized.

Emma said she reacted to the situation the only way she knew how.

“Yes, it was very scary, and I was scared, but knew what I had to do,” she said.

“It seems if I know I get hurt, I seem to always know I will be OK and that I need to make sure everyone else will be OK.”

Not your average 12-year-old, indeed.