Lifeless baby's miracle revival

THE PARENTS of a newborn child who began breathing 20 minutes after doctors declared she was dead spoke yesterday of her "miracle" recovery.

Tiffany Taylor was born seemingly lifeless at Hope Hospital, Salford, Greater Manchester, four weeks ago and after 20 minutes battling to resuscitate her, medics gave up hope. She was handed to Pauline Taylor and Tommy O'Connor, her parents, but then, as he cradled the body in his arms, she showed signs of breathing. Staff were alerted and she was taken to the neo-natal intensive care unit.

Ms Taylor, a 38-year-oldschool welfare assistant from Eccles, said: "If it was not for Tommy holding her, she would not be alive. They said that she was dead and we said, `No, she's not'. For 20 minutes they argued - we literally begged them to try again."

Mr O'Connor added: "I saw she was breathing, but a doctor told me she was dead and these were her last gasps."

The couple are now considering lodging a formal complaint with Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust.

A hospital spokeswoman, Amanda Thomas, said: "I acknowledge the staff thought she was dead."