Trainee nurse from Birmingham rushed to hospital after bedroom ceiling collapsed

A mum suffered serious injuries - when her bedroom ceiling fell on her.

Maria Hayes, 37, went to bed at around 8pm on January 23 after a long day. She said she had just closed her eyes when the ceiling came down on top of her.

Maria, from Birmingham, managed to remove herself and daughter Amelia, 14, called an ambulance. The mum was rushed to hospital were she was treated for serious bruising.

Maria, who is studying to become a nurse, said: “I was just closing my eyes and then the entire ceiling just landed on top of me. I somehow managed to stumble out and then I collapsed on my landing.” Maria is now recovering from her physical injuries.

But she says the worst thing has been the mental ramifications of the incident. “There’s a lot of mental trauma," she said. "I’ve been put on medication for anxiety - I’m literally shaking.

“Every time I’m in a room I’m just looking at the roof and I shake like a leaf every time I’m in that room.”

The rubble and debris was subsequently removed by the council but they have told Maria repair work to her bedroom won’t be done until February 7. Maria says since the ceilings collapse, wind is coming in from the roof and she has been left a nervous wreck in the house.

The council have offered her emergency accommodation, but Maria says it would be outside of Birmingham – and she would struggle to take her daughter to school. She has also been sent a form to apply for compensation from the council but believes they are not doing enough to help.

Maria said: “I keep being told that it’s a matter of urgency, but it just feels like nothing is being done. I just want to be taken seriously.”

Maria claims she raised concerns about the ceiling when she first moved in but these were ignored.

“I phoned the council when I first moved in as a section by window was being replastered and told them there was a huge crack in my ceiling. They told me it was nothing to worry about and that the house was safe and secure. I took their word for it.”

Maria’s daughter Amelia has been forced to give up her bedroom to her mum and sleep on the sofa while Maria recuperates. Maria said: “It’s been really horrible for her too. She's been teary, I'm the only person she’s got and this accident could have cost me my life.”

West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "One ambulance, a paramedic officer and the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) attended the scene.

"Upon arrival we found a woman who was assessed and had sustained serious injuries. She received treatment at the scene and was conveyed to Heartlands Hospital for further assessment.”

Birmingham City Council statement

Birmingham City Council said: "This was reported on 24 January and our contractor attended the same day and made the ceiling safe.

"Maria was offered temporary accommodation whilst clean-up to the bedroom was carried out. She declined the offer and stayed with a friend. We then sent an inspector the following day 25th to check the room was now habitable until follow up works could take place.

"These will now take place February 7."