The first picture has emerged of a heroic mum who sacrificed her life to save her five-year-old daughter from a falling tree branch. Madia Kauser, 32, was enjoying an outing with her family near Witton Country Park in Blackburn, Lancashire, when the branch fell on Monday (August 11).
Her nine-year-old son and husband, Wasim Khan, also 32, were playing football just yards away when quick-thinking Madia saw the branch coming down, just managing to shove her daughter out of harm’s way.
Wasim told The Sun he and his son were going after the ball when he heard a crack and the branch came down even though there was no wind.
The grieving husband said: “I rushed to her. I tried to save her. She was still breathing… She was the most beautiful and loyal person you would ever wish to meet.”
Wasim went on to praise the paramedics who helped Madia and arrived at the scene within minutes of the tragedy.
Madia’s funeral takes place today (August 14), with hundreds of mourners expected to attend.
Relative, Zamir Khan, told the Daily Mail that Madia’s daughter told him how her mum pushed her out of the way.
He said: “It is very hard for the children. I do not think they will ever walk in that park again.”
Since the incident, the tree has been removed and the local council has trimmed the branches of nearby trees.
The local authority said: “Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is deeply saddened to confirm that a member of the public has tragically died following an incident in Witton Park, when a large tree branch fell.”
A Lancashire Police spokesman said Madia’s death was not being treated as suspicious and a file would be prepared for the coroner.
