Pulling a two-year-old girl from the rubble of the Haiti earthquake is a “miracle moment” a Black Country firefighter will never forget.

Watch commander Russell Gauden from Dudley fire station was part of the West Midlands Search and Rescue team which spent 11 days in the devastated country.

He was given a heroes welcome by the lads on blue watch when he returned to work.

The 38-year-old rugby player, who has a son Charlie, aged six, has been in the fire service for 14 years but said nothing prepared him for the horror of seeing so many bodies. He said: “There were bodies everywhere and we were taken to a Roman Catholic church which was being used a makeshift hospital and wounded people were just lying in the aisles, it was surreal.

“I am full of pride to have gone on the mission on behalf of West Midlands Fire Service.”

Mr Gauden, from Kingsford Lane, Kinver, was involved in the rescue of Mia who was trapped. Rescuers had to dig with their hands for five hours to reach her.