AN IRISH MUM and her baby were trapped overnight in a car in sub-zero temperatures after they ran out of diesel and her phone battery died.
The mother, believed to be in her teens, had reportedly been out Christmas shopping in New Ross, Co. Wexford, but had gotten lost on country roads on her way back on Monday last week.
When her car ran out of fuel, she realised her phone had also run out of battery, meaning she couldn't call for help or let her family know where she was.
Stranded in the middle of the quiet countryside, she was faced with the prospect of sleeping overnight in the car with her one-year-old son, as temperatures fell below zero.
Gardai were contacted at around 6.30pm by her relatives after she failed to return home, according to the Irish Mirror.
Temperatures had fallen to -4C during the night and there were serious concerns for the wellbeing of the pair.
The young mother was allegedly advised to take the country roads home after leaving New Ross but lost her way in South Kilkenny.
Her car came to a stop as she pulled off the road into a field, understood to be in the Glenmore area.
Gardai discovered the car the following morning and paramedics were rushed in to assess the duo.
Luckily, both mother and child appeared to be in good health, aside from being a little chilly.
"It was just an unfortunate event which could have had a different outcome," said a Garda spokesperson.
