A MOTHER has died from severe burns after collapsing and falling into a bath of scalding water.

Donna Lever, is believed to have suffered a seizure at her home in Shackleton Grove, Johnson Fold, as she was getting ready for a night out to celebrate her 35th birthday.

Miss Lever was found unconscious in the bath by her 11-year-old son Damien when he returned home. She was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital with 35 per cent burns before being transferred to the specialist intensive care burns unit at Whiston Hospital, Merseyside, where she spent nine weeks before her life support machine was finally switched off.

Her son is now being looked after by his grandparents Ronald and Pauline Lever only yards away from the home where he lived with his mother.

It is the second tragedy to hit the family. Twelve years ago Miss Lever's brother, Paul died from leukaemia, aged just 17.

Miss Lever's heartbroken father said his daughter had been looking forward to her 35th birthday on April 12 but had decided to celebrate the occasion on the Saturday before with friends.

Just a few weeks earlier Miss Lever began having fits and she underwent tests for suspected epilepsy. Miss Lever's family believe that as she ran the bath she suffered another fit and fell into the scalding water.

Damien found his mum unconscious, rang his grandparents and rushed to a neighbour's house for help. Doctors warned Mr and Mrs Lever that her burns were severe, but their daughter, who never fully regained consciousness refused to give up the fight.

Her mother added: "She really fought hard."

But doctors were unable to save her and on June 13 the decision was made to turn off her life support machine. Miss Lever died with her parents and 33-year-old sister Michelle at her bedside.

Mr and Mrs Lever were so impressed with the care she received that they have asked for donations in lieu of flowers at her funeral to be given to Whiston Hospital.

Miss Lever's death has shocked colleagues at Smithills Coaching House, where she worked as a cleaner and at Johnson Fold Primary School, where Damien is a pupil.

Her funeral takes place on Friday, at 11.30am, at Overdale Crematorium.