CRASH TEST MUMMY – Injured Alison gives birth after rescue from total car wreck

Crash baby Liam Hardy arrived in the world with a little help from 16 fireman, six paramedics and three doctors. Tiny Liam was delivered by caesarean section after mum Alison had been thrown around like a crash test dummy.

Eight-month pregnant Alison lost control of her Volvo on a country lane and ploughed into a tree. The admin worker, 29, was trapped in the debris when emergency crews arrived. Firemen cut her free from the driving seat. Fire Officer Ian Buchanan said: “The rescue was incredibly difficult because she was so heavily pregnant.” Alison was rushed to Newcastle Hospital with a fractured pelvis and broken legs, and gave birth to Liam soon afterwards.

Dad Rob said: “They thought Liam might have brain damage, but he’s had a clean bill of health and is at home with me now while Alison recovers. Alison won’t be home for good until after Christmas and they don’t think she’ll be walking for months.”

Furniture maker Rob, 34, was at work when he got a call saying Alison had been injured in the crash. He added: “I got to the hospital before Alison – because it took so long to get her out of the car.” Liam’s Nan Sandra has flown over from her home in Cyprus to help son Rob cope with the baby. She said: “Seeing them cuddled up together is just marvellous.”

Useful words and Expressions
Total car wreck: a car destroyed in an accident.
Paramedics: people trained to give first aid in emergencies.
Caesarean section: operation where the baby is lifted from a woman’s womb through an opening in her abdomen.
Crash test dummy: a life-size model of a person used to investigate the effects of car crashes.
Ploughed into: went out of control and crashed violently into something (like a tree).
Debris: the pieces from something that has been destroyed.
Rushed to: taken very quickly to somewhere (like hospital).
Clean bill of health: told that there are no medical problems.
For good: permanently
He got a call: someone telephoned him
Nan: Grandmother
Cope: deal with a situation successfully.
Cuddled up together: close together with their arms round each other.