88-year-old great-grandmother rescues toddler from certain doom

In a remarkable tale of courage and quick thinking, an 88-year-old great-grandmother was hailed a hero after she saved her two-year-old great-grandson from what could have been a tragic accident.

The incident, which unfolded unexpectedly, highlights the potential dangers lurking within residential properties and the importance of ensuring structural integrity for the safety of occupants.


On March 19, Nicky Panagiotidis was spending a quiet day at home in Ascot Vale, Melbourne, looking after her great-grandson Harvey, when the unthinkable happened.

Without warning, the roof of her house gave way, sending piles of plaster and insulation crashing down upon them.

In a split-second decision that would define heroism, Ms Panagiotidis rolled off the couch and used her own body to shield the young boy, taking the brunt of the impact upon herself.


Screenshot 2024-03-21 094422.jpg
88-year-old Nicky Panagiotidis was hospitalised after saving her two-year-old great-grandson when their ceiling collapsed. Credits: YouTube / 7NEWS Australia


The great-grandmother's heroics, however, came at a cost.

She sustained severe bruising and found herself trapped under the heavy weight of the collapsed ceiling.

Despite her injuries, she managed to call her daughter, Julie Polimos, and alert her to the dire situation.

‘I heard Harvey crying in the background, and I said, "Mum are you okay?"’ Ms Polimos narrated.

‘She said, "The ceiling is on top of me, and I can't move."’

Emergency services were promptly dispatched to the scene, where they found both Harvey and Ms Panagiotidis stuck under the rubble.

Displaying remarkable resilience, the 88-year-old was able to walk to the ambulance with assistance, before being taken to the hospital for treatment.

Thankfully, she was released from the hospital the day after.


The family was left in awe of Ms Panagiotidis' bravery. Her daughter praised her mother's actions, calling her a 'strong woman’.

Nicole Brown, Harvey's mother, expressed immense relief and gratitude.

‘It was the unluckiest situation with the luckiest outcome,’ she said.

‘That motherly instinct that she has, went through her to be a hero.'

The cause of the collapse appeared to have been a water leak, which had weakened the house’s ceiling structure. Cracks had been noticed in the roof a week before the incident, hinting at the looming danger.


As homeowners grapple with unexpected structural failures, it's a stark reminder to remain vigilant for potential hazards both inside and outside the house.

This sentiment resonated with the recent story of a pensioner who found himself in a precarious situation after an incident in his garden.

These events shed light on the critical need for regular property maintenance and proactive safety measures to safeguard individuals, especially vulnerable seniors, from unforeseen dangers lurking in their surroundings.
Key Takeaways
  • An 88-year-old great-grandmother, Nicky Panagiotidis, saved her two-year-old great-grandson from being crushed by shielding him under her when their ceiling collapsed.
  • Despite being trapped under the debris and suffering severe bruising, Ms Panagiotidis was able to alert her daughter, and was subsequently rescued by emergency services.
  • Released from the hospital with bruises to her back and shoulders, Ms Panagiotidis was praised by her family for her heroic actions.
  • The collapse of the ceiling is believed to have been caused by a water leak, with prior evidence of cracks appearing in the roof a week before the incident.
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you had to act quickly to protect a loved one? Share your stories with us in the comments below.
 
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What a lucky little fella.
Years ago, when we had our renovation business we were called on in a fairly regular basis to replace fallen ceilings in old homes.
This was always an insurance job. Nowadays insurance companies regularly crawl their way out of these claims, saying it is lack of maintenance, so keep an eye on your ceilings if you live in an old house.
How they expect the average person to know if their ceiling is about to fall is beyond me, but typically insurance companies will find a way to worm their way out of any claim they can.
 
Absolutely.♥️
I think in a case of what was happening, it would be instinctive for anybody to act. BUT a Lady of the tender years of 88 acted quickly, with the only action she could do to save her Great Grandson. Whilst that is definitely courageous. But her love for her Great Grandson won the day even at the detriment to herself.
No thought of Personal Trauma just Act.
That is Heroism in its finest instant reaction.. She needs an Award to honour
her for a job well done, not to mention the eternal gratitude and appreciation of her Family and Friends. Also everybody who learns of her instant reaction, to save
a loved one from serious harm that could
have resulted in serious injury or death of
the young boy.
Good on you Great Granny you are a Star.
 

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