A HAMPSHIRE baby only hours from death was saved by a daring low-level helicopter dash across the country.

Little Kelly Blachford was born at the Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton and quickly diagnosed with a life-threatening lung infection.

In a last-ditch attempt to save her, staff arranged for an RAF helicopter crew to take Kelly for specialist treatment 120 miles away in Leicester. The speeding chopper was given priority air space as the paramedic crew kept the baby breathing.

The pilot was forced to fly low-level for the entire journey, dodging trees and pylons, because of bad weather and to avoid any further damage to Kelly's lungs potentially caused by high altitude.

Mother Sharon Blachford, 30, said: "Kelly was born panting and crying. Her lungs had filled with blood and body waste and she couldn't breathe properly.

"The nearest available equipment was in Leicester so they organised a helicopter. They said it was possible she would not survive the flight but it was her only chance.

"It was even suggested that we had her Christened before the flight, just in case."

When Kelly arrived at the Glenfield Hospital she was rushed into surgery and attached to the special ventilator.

Within a few days the infection cleared and Kelly is now enjoying full health and back with her family in Corsair Drive, Dibden.

Mrs Blachford said: "We felt that Princess Anne staff did such a fantastic job and took all the right decisions. We would also like to thank the staff in Leicester and the helicopter crew who were all brilliant."

A spokesman for the Leicester hospital said: "The baby used our ECMO facilities. That stands for extra corporal membrane oxygenation - a system which provides an external lung to re-oxygenate the blood.

"We're pleased that Kelly was one of those to benefit. It's good to hear she's doing well."

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