Little miracle

Peter Stevenson : Royton firefighter helping to lead Britain’s rescue efforts as operations commander.

Mia rescued after three days under rubble

TWO Oldham firefighters battling to save lives in quake-hit Haiti were part of a team which rescued three people, including a two-year-old girl.

Peter Stevenson (48), of Royton, is leading Britain’s rescue efforts as operations commander with Chadderton firefighter Martin Foran (29) also among the heroes.

Rescuers pulled toddler Mia from the piles of rubble of her collapsed school in the capital Port-au-Prince after five hours of digging —then gave her a teddy bear to keep her calm.

Little Mia is safe and well and back with her mother following medical treatment after spending three days trapped under debris.

Mr Stevenson (pictured right) said: “We are all over the moon, Mia is beautiful and the rescue was a huge success.”

Greater Manchester colleague Simon Cording (34) compared the nerve-wracking operation with the delicate balancing game of Buckaroo.

He added: “One wrong move, one piece of metal or wood slid out at the wrong moment, would have brought the entire place down.”

Nine Greater Manchester firefighters are among 64 from across the UK who flew to the stricken Caribbean nation with two rescue dogs and 12 tonnes of equipment to search for people trapped under collapsed buildings.

The success of saving Mia was followed by a 40-year-old woman being discovered in a building near to a supermarket with the firefighters working for four hours to dig her out.

She was suffering from dehydration and had pressure sores.

Then a 60-year-old man, who had a miraculous escape after being throw out of his bed by the earthquake but surviving after ending up under it, was also found.

It took seven hours to tunnel to him but after rehydration by the team doctor he recovered well and only had minor injuries.

But the firefighters are continuing to work in hellish conditions, with temperatures reaching 25C, as they face a race against time to find injured and trapped victims.

Mr Stevenson described the scene of half the buildings having collapsed or been badly damaged as “absolute chaos”, adding: “It’s heartbreaking. We are stepping over dead bodies, and the smell is indescribable, as is the scene we are faced with. Everyone is crying out for our help, even if it’s just to rescue a dead family member, and it’s upsetting we can’t help everyone. Our priority is to try and save lives.

“We are here to search and rescue for live victims in this tragedy.

“We have to stay focussed, and the job we do prepares us a little, but it really is indescribable.

“We don’t tend to think too much when we are out there doing the job, it tends to hit home once you return to family life, that’s when you get upset.”

The Haitian President has committed to continue rescue operations for as long as necessary.

But Mr Stevenson says that now six days have passed since Tuesday’s devastation, the chance of finding people starved of food and water still alive is severely diminished. Their priority will soon be moved to helping to distribute humanitarian aid.

The Greater Manchester team say they are in good health and spirits with locals welcoming their help and there being no serious problems despite reports of security issues.

International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said the rescue of Mia was fantastic news, adding: “I know that everyone in Britain will share my pride at the vital and dangerous work being carried out by these brave firefighters in Haiti’s hour of need. They are truly inspirational.”


Donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee Haiti appeal can be made at www.dec.org.uk or by ringing 0370 60 60 900.