Our hearts are with a family in Washington, US, after a pregnant woman died in a tragic car accident on Monday.
According to reports, Shannon MacLeod died when her van rolled over her and pinned her to the ground. She was pregnant with her eighth child at the time.
While Shannon passed away on the journey to hospital, medics were able to save her baby boy. The tot, who has been named Joseph, was safely delivered via emergency C-section.
KATU.com reports that the tot tipped the scales at just five pounds, and is ‘very fragile’. He is currently receiving treatment in Seattle Children’s Hospital.
An eye-witness has reported seeing the 35-year-old standing outside of her van ‘on or close to’ a road, near an intersection.
Here's a link to the @gofundme to help the family of Shannon MacLeod who died yesterday after van hit her: https://t.co/JECG9Ly5wP pic.twitter.com/GNNSA6ZAEM
— Kristen Drew (@KDrewKOMO) June 6, 2017
While standing beside the vehicle, it is said to have begun to roll backwards. Shannon was a mum-of-seven at the time, and several of her younger children were still inside the car.
It is believe that one of the children set the car – which was still running – into either neutral or reverse.
In a desperate bid to protect her children, Shannon is said to have tried to stop the van from rolling. Tragically, however, she ended up pinned beneath the vehicle.
Emergency services were called to the scene, but Shannon could not be saved. Her son, however, is said to be fighting hard.
The tragedy comes just six months after the family encountered a fire at their home, in which they ‘lost everything’.
"All I can do is try to keep the family together," says mother of pregnant woman who died. She had 6 children ranging in age from 2 to 19. pic.twitter.com/EYJuaSeZUj
— Kristen Drew (@KDrewKOMO) June 6, 2017
Now, as Shannon’s family comes to terms with their loss, the focus is on staying strong – and staying together.
Her eldest son, Nathan, told KATU: “We’re just trying to keep us all together, that’s all.
“I know my mum would want that the most, because family is so important to her. Family was the number one thing. No matter what, it was always family first.”
Nathan has set up a fundraising page to help with the funeral costs as well as hospital expenses for baby Joseph. You can check it out through this link.
We can’t imagine what the family are going through right now. They will remain in our thoughts.
