A CANCER patient and her premature baby son have died just days after she underwent an emergency Caesarean in a bid to save him.

Terminally ill Kulsum Geloo, 40, was admitted to the intensive care unit at Blackburn Royal Infirmary last week after being taken ill while on holiday.

Mrs Geloo, of Fairfax, Virginia, in America, had a son, Saifullah Hashim Geloo, three months prematurely on Saturday. Mrs Geloo died of natural causes just before 6pm on Tuesday.

Her baby son died around midday on Wednesday. He was only four days old.

It is believed Mrs Geloo had been holidaying with her husband and other family members when she became sick.

Doctors became worried for the baby's safety but were unable to get permission from the mother to carry out a Caesarean because of her condition.

After consideration, the hospital agreed with the family to seek the guidance of the High Court last Monday but became concerned when the mother's condition deteriorated. It quickly became apparent there would not be time to go to court. The baby was eventually delivered on Saturday night.

An inquest into the death of Saifullah Hashim Geloo was opened on Tuesday by East Lancashire coroner, Michael Singleton.

He recorded a verdict that Saifullah Geloo was delivered prematurely by Caesarean section due to the mother being critically ill.

Mrs Geloo was said to have died of natural causes.

A spokesperson for the hospital said they were unable to comment further at the express wishes of the family.