AN AMERICAN couple’s week-long visit to Rossendale turned into a four month hospital vigil after their unborn twins had to be delivered 15 weeks early.

Today Nicholas and Lindsey Mandic sent a transatlantic thank you to Burnley General for their ‘incredible’ lifesaving work.

The couple were visiting Edenfield to spread the ashes of Nicholas’ late grandmother, who was born there, when Lindsey fell ill and was taken to Burnley General.

She was admitted for observation to the Lancashire Women and Newborn Centre before giving birth to her baby twins two days later.

Lindsey said: “It was obviously a complete surprise and a very scary couple of days, but the twins were doing great and everyone at the hospital was an incredible help.”

The new parents had to stay in Briercliffe for the next four months so they could remain close to the infants in intensive care.

Twins Ava and Nicholas progressed well and remained in the Trust’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit until they were well enough to be flown by special air ambulance to a hospital in their parents’ home town in Ohio.

Both Ava and Nicholas are now described as ‘extremely well.’ The couple said in a statement: “We have spent many hours trying to put into words how we felt about our time in the Burnley NICU, but honestly words will never be able to express our feelings for all the consultants, doctors and nurses on the unit.

“We have countless memories of our three and a half months in the NICU Unit, most of them bring a smile to my face thanks to the devoted and personable staff. “Looking back we can honestly say there was never a moment where we ever questioned the quality of care our twins received.”

The family first went into Burnley General Hospital on June 14, they were flown home on October 5. The cost of the family’s medical treatment and flight home were covered by their travel insurance.

Of their time in the care of the NHS, Clare Carroll, Matron of NICU at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “It is an honour to care for vulnerable babies and their parents. We have a very dedicated team.

“It has been a pleasure to meet Nicholas and Lindsey and support them on this difficult journey. “We look forward to more transatlantic updates on the twins’ progress through the early years. All the staff wish the family all the best for the future.”