Little Angus McLean was in a rush to be born. He came out six weeks early while his mum, Sarah, was in the ambulance on the Eastern Freeway. Angus was born with his bowels outside his body and was just six hours old when he had his first operation.

His small intestines were too big to fit into his body and had to be kept in a bag outside his body for a record 42 days.

So far Angus has had 19 operations, averaging about one every four days. Surgeons had to cut out parts of the bowl that had died, and reconnect the remaining parts. There have been complications along the way and more surgery will be needed.

The outgoing Neonatal Unit Director, Dr Peter McDougall says Angus is a strong willed and brave boy. “He’s surprised us in many ways and hopefully he’ll keep on surprising us.”

Photo courtesy of the Herald Sun.