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A seven-month-old baby boy from Broughton, Flintshire, experienced a frightening medical emergency when he collapsed in a local Tesco store. Rupert Smith, who suffers from a rare neurological disorder called alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC), stopped breathing during the incident. His mother, Siobhan Smith, acted quickly by performing CPR and calling for emergency help while waiting for paramedics, police, and an air ambulance to arrive. Rupert was then airlifted to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool for urgent care.
Rupert’s father, Dave Smith, shared that his son has continued to experience significant seizures while in the hospital, requiring medication and thorough testing. Despite the medical intervention, Rupert remains unstable and “not completely out of the woods yet,” Dave explained. The distressing episode prompted the temporary evacuation of the supermarket and a police blockade at the entrance to Broughton Shopping Park. The family had only stopped by the store briefly to print documents before heading to a hospital appointment when Rupert suddenly became unresponsive and began struggling to breathe.
Dave, a police sergeant with North Wales Police, praised his wife’s quick thinking and actions during the emergency, emphasizing the urgency of the situation as Rupert’s condition can deteriorate rapidly. The couple expressed gratitude for the support they have received from police colleagues and NHS staff at both Wrexham Maelor Hospital and Alder Hey. However, due to the rarity and severity of Rupert’s disorder, the family understands that there are limited treatment options available through the NHS. They hope to seek advanced treatment and potentially participate in clinical trials in the United States.
In an effort to raise funds for Rupert’s care and research into AHC, Siobhan and Dave have established a charity named Rupert’s Rainbow. They have already raised around £65,000 to support this cause, with the ultimate goal of accessing experimental therapies in the US. Rupert’s mother described him as a “good natured” baby who smiles despite the challenges he faces. Both parents hold onto hope, inspired by their son’s resilient spirit and bright blue eyes, as they continue to fight for his health and for greater awareness of this life-threatening and complex condition
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