PEABODY, Mass. (WHDH) -- A young hero was honored in Peabody Thursday after he stopped a potential tragedy on the highway.

Patrick Canney, 12, was in the passenger’s seat when his father had a seizure. Instead of panicking, he drove the vehicle out of danger.

“[My father] is fine. He got out of the hospital the same day,” said Patrick.

Patrick received a lot of attention after jumping behind the wheel and hitting the brakes while his father starting seizing on a busy highway Saturday morning.

“I think that it was good, quick thinking, just lucky,” Patrick said.

First responders said Patrick’s actions helped save his little sister, who was sitting in the back seat, and countless drivers on the road.

“I can’t believe my 12 year old saved the family. It’s just unthinkable what could’ve been,” said Debra Canney, Patrick’s mother.

“This is something that’s a great story that no one was hurt,” said Lt. Governor Tim Murray.

Patrick was given a plaque from the city of Peabody and a $200 gift card, but he knows he wasn’t the only one who came to the rescue Saturday.

“I’d just like to say thank you for all that you’ve done, I couldn’t have done it without you,” Patrick told emergency responders.