Paramedics who helped save the life of a "miracle" baby were yesterday reunited with him and his relieved mother.

The life of Joshua Abraham hung in the balance when mum Maria's pregnancy suffered severe complications which in many cases cause the death of the child.

But Joshua survived and is now at home with 38-year-old Maria and dad Paul in Ilkley.

The drama began last week when Maria discovered Joshua's umbilical cord had dropped out of her womb.

The condition - known as a prolapsed cord - was extremely dangerous for Joshua and could have blocked his supply of oxygen, resulting in death or cerebral palsy.

Maria called the maternity unit at Airedale General Hospital where the condition was explained to her.

She said: "It was a case of shock and panic - I was distraught. They told me to get on my hands and knees and to stick my bottom in the air. They sent an ambulance and I had to crawl on to a stretcher like that."

Australian paramedic Craig Hickson reassured Mrs Abraham and helped calm her down. He said: "She was in the recommended position to let gravity drag the baby away from the cord because the last thing we want is for the cord to be depressed.

"It was very difficult to get her in the ambulance - she stood on her hands and knees and crawled on to the stretcher."

The crew, including paramedic driver Paula Fieldhouse, put Mrs Abraham on oxygen to improve Joshua's chances of survival.

"We transported her in that position. I had to hold on to her because when you are in that position you are very prone to falling off the stretcher," said Mr Hickson.

He added: "Paula drove very steadily and there was about a mile of traffic queuing behind us."

When they got to the hospital in Steeton an emergency surgical team had already been assembled.

Within five minutes of the ambulance's arrival at the maternity unit a surgeon had removed Joshua by Caesarean section and placed him in an incubator.

But it wasn't until hours later that Mrs Abraham discovered her worst fears had not materialised. She awoke from the anaesthetic at 3pm to be told by her waiting husband, that Joshua was doing fine, although seven weeks early and weighing only four pounds, 11oz.

Mum was wheeled to the baby unit three hours later to be reunited with her baby son.

Sue Speak, matron of the labour ward and obstetric operating theatre at Airedale, said: "This is the first one in a career of 20 plus years I have ever known. He is very lucky - a miracle baby."

Joshua was allowed home with his proud mum on Monday this week and yesterday was reunited with the ambulance crew who helped to save his life. The couple, of Rombalds View, have six other children by previous marriages and Joshua is the first they have had together since getting married last year.

"He was a long-awaited baby and we thought he was a goner," said Mrs Abraham an investment officer for the Housing Corporation.

She added: "He is doing really well. I feel fine and I am just glad to have him home."