A 53-year-old woman from Cumbria who darted back into her blazing home to save her three dogs and had to spend three months in a coma is raising money to open a trauma survivor centre
A brave woman who ran back into a devastating home blaze suffered horrific burns to half of her body all to save her beloved pooches.
Vanessa Hayes was given just a 10% chance of survival when she sprinted back into a burning two-bedroom property in Haverigg, Cumbria, to try and save her dogs Bella, Lulu, and Pippa. Despite thick billowing smoke coming from the property, that didn’t put the 53-year-old from heading back into danger. Vanessa managed to get two of her pooches out – Pippa the pug and French bulldog Lulu. Both survived, but sadly Bella the Bichon Fris died in the fire.
Vanessa suffered 50% full-thickness burns on every part of her body except the palms of her hands and also suffered severe internal injuries to her vital organs due to smoke inhalation. Despite the overwhelming odds against her survival, Vanessa has fought tirelessly to rebuild her life, finding solace and purpose through horses.
Now she is dreaming of representing Great Britain in the Para Dressage and wants to create a sanctuary for trauma survivors. Speaking about her ordeal, she explained: “Everyday for months after the fire I wanted to die. There was a point at the critical stages where my family wondered if I would even want to survive given the pain.”
Vanessa’s home went up in flames in the early hours of August 11, 2019, at around 4am. The dog mum was woken up by her pug, Pippa, barking frantically.
“The smoke was scalding, like steam from a kettle,” she said. “I was being physically restrained by people outside not to go in, but I got free of their grip and ran back in. My injuries were already bad, but the wouldn’t have been anywhere near as bad had I not gone back in.”
Despite her best efforts, the heat and smoke overwhelmed her and in the chaos, Vanessa suffered life-threatening burns across her body. After coming out of the house for a second time Vanessa was rushed to Barrow-in-Furness General Hospital before being transferred to Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester. There her family was told she had less than a 10% chance of survival.
After initial treatment at the hospital, Vanessa spent more than three months in a coma and had to undergo several surgeries to save her life and complete skin grafts from her legs to reconstruct her face and neck.
Even with advanced medical care, Vanessa faced severe complications, including a life-threatening pseudomonas infection that nearly resulted in the loss of her foot. Vanessa said: “I swelled up like a giant blister I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for my mum standing firm and saying, ‘She’s a fighter.'”
When Vanessa finally woke up, she believed she’d been abducted by aliens as her sense and sense of time were so distorted. The road to recovery continue long and painful and Vanessa has undergone numerous surgeries and faces mobility challenges, constant pain, and emotional scars from the trauma.
Despite her injuries, horse lover Vanessa is determined to return to the saddle and has set her sights on competing for Great Britain in Para Dressage. She first owned a pony when she was just 18 months old and has worked as a warranty executive to fund her love of riding .
Vanessa said she is “determined to move forward” and that horses have “always been her sanctuary”. She hopes to create a facility which could offer equine therapy alongside other specialised treatments, providing a safe space for those navigating their own paths to recovery.
So far, Vanessa has raised £210 toward her £20,000 target. The funds will help her build the facilities she needs to train and compete while creating a space for healing and hope.
Vanessa added: “I want people to know that no matter how dark it gets, there is always a way forward. My dream isn’t just about Para Dressage – it’s about showing others that they can overcome, too.”
