A great-grandmother saved her great-grandson from being crushed when the roof of her home collapsed on top of the couple.
Nicky Panagiotidis, 88, was caring for two-year-old Harvey on Tuesday afternoon and was sitting on the sofa at her home in Ascot Vale, in Melbourne’s north, when the roof collapsed.
She rolled off the couch and sheltered the toddler under her chest, saving him from the crushing weight.
But her heroics left Ms Panagiotidis in hospital with severe bruising.
Nicky Panagiotidis (pictured) saved her great-grandson when the ceiling collapsed in her Melbourne home
Luckily, she had woken Harvey from his nap just before disaster struck.
Ms Panagiotidis was able to call her daughter Julie Polimos and tell her she was trapped under the rubble.
“I heard Harvey crying in the background and I said, ‘Mommy, you’re okay,’” she said Nine news.
‘She said, “The ceiling is on top of me and I can’t move.”
Emergency services rushed to the property and rescued Harvey and Mrs Panagiotidis, who were trapped under piles of plaster and insulation.
She had some bruises on her back and shoulders and was able to walk to the ambulance before being taken to hospital for treatment.
She was released from the hospital on Wednesday.
Mrs Panagiotidis was caring for baby Harvey when the roof suddenly gave way (pictured)
The 88-year-old was trapped under piles of plaster and insulation (pictured) as she shielded the two-year-old boy under her chest
Ms. Polimos praised her mother’s courageous act, saying she is a “strong woman.”
Harvey’s relieved mother Nicole Brown said the situation could have been worse.
“It was the unluckiest situation with the happiest outcome,” Ms Brown said.
“That motherly instinct she got through her to be a hero.”
It is believed a water leak caused the ceiling to collapse and cracks appeared in the roof a week ago.