Wow, what an amazing story of a mother's love in action.
An incredibly brave mum ran into her blazing home – after her partner’s FOURTH failed attempt – to save the life of her preemie baby.
Despite neighbours shouting at her not to go back into the house, Rachel Smeeth, 23, refused to give up, eventually reaching her son Matthew’s cot and pulling him to safety.
“The neighbours were all screaming at me to stay outside, but all I could think about was my baby,” the Lancashire, UK mum told Mail Online.
“I felt my way to the cot and he was lifeless – not crying – and I was sure he was dead.
“I scooped him up with a blanket over his face.
“By this time, the firemen were outside and I was able to follow the lights from their torches to make my way down the stairs.”
The fire broke out when Rachel put a pan on the cooker to cook a meal, but while waiting for it to heat up she and her partner Danny dozed off.
“I didn’t even realise I was so tired but looking back, I was exhausted and I should never have switched on a pan,” she told Mail Online.
Thankfully Danny, Matthew and daughter Katie-Louise, 3, escaped unharmed. However, Rachel’s throat was badly burned, and according to doctors may be permanently damaged.
“The firemen came to see us and told us we should be dead. They kept saying how brave I was to go back into the house for Matthew, but any mother would do exactly the same,” Rachel told Mail Online.
Tragically, Rachel suffered five miscarriages before Matthew was, born weighing just 4lbs 7ozs. “So when Matthew was born it felt like a miracle,” she said. “He was very precious.”
Wow, what a story. It’s just so amazing the lengths a mum will go to in order to protect her child. We salute this incredibly courageous, selfless mum.
