A boy suffering from autism grabbed the wheel of his mother's car and began to steer the vehicle to safety when his mother blacked out.

Jonathan Anderson, 9, who has Asperger's syndrome, was said to have been riding in the car when her mother suddenly fainted. In response, the boy then grabbed the wheel of the vehicle traveling in traffic at 70 mph during rush hour, and steered the Toyota Avensis, eventually stopping it using the handbrake.

According to the Times Online, the incident occurred as Jonathan's mother, 34-year old Marion, was driving him to school.

"The last thing I remember is driving over the flyover to take Jonathan to school," said Marion. "I must have passed out, because the next thing I saw was a paramedic fitting a brace around my neck."

Jonathan, admitting that the incident was "scary," said "I've never driven a car before."

Marion explained that Jonathan's condition meant that he was fascinated with mechanical things.

"Part of his autism has seen him develop into a very technically-minded person," she explained. "He loves mechanical objects and is constantly telling me he wants to learn to drive...I'm sure he reacted the way he did in the accident because he has an understanding of cars and therefore how to stop them."

Paramedic Pete Holden commented on the incident, praising Jonathan for his heroic deed.

"We were incredibly impressed with Jonathan's brave actions," Holden said. "It must have been a very frightening experience, but his level head and quick thinking prevented a much more serious accident."

According to the UPI, Jonathan was scheduled to receive a certificate of bravery, with people saying his actions managed to save his mother's life, and the lives of others.

"He's my little superhero," Marion said.