UK mum accused of drug smuggling after life-saving brain surgery in Spain

A British mum who had life-saving brain surgery in Spain was stopped by UK Border Force officials who accused her of drug smuggling.

Rachel Pighills, 36, was left at risk of being "internally decapitated" following a freak ceiling fan accident.

She was moving into a new house in August 2018 when the whizzing blades of the fan smashed her on the back of the head.

The impact left her with atlanto axial instability and basilar invagination - meaning her brain was literally sinking into her spine.

It meant she could no longer turn her head because each time she did her spine would partially dislocate, increasing the risk of paralysis or death.

Rachel and husband Guy, 41, spent almost four years trying to raise £215,000 for pioneering surgery which is not available on the NHS.

They finally reached the milestone earlier this year thanks to a woman in her 60s from Warwickshire who loaned them £130,000.