FAR FROM OVER

Jennifer tells of relief on returning safely to Scotland but says she fears for husband who stayed to help family

- SALLY HIND 

A MUM who escaped war-torn Sudan with her four children spoke of her heartbreak last night after leaving her husband behind as she was reunited with family in Scotland.

Jennifer McLellan, a teacher from Islay, made it home after a traumatic week which saw her family join thousands of UK citizens in the race to flee conflict-hit capital Khartoum.

The 36-year-old was overwhelmed to have her four children safe yesterday but wept for her husband Mohamed - who bravely stayed behind to protect his Sudanese family.

The mum also spoke of her fears for thousands still trapped and in danger in the African nation.

She told the Record: "We're OK. We're safe now. But it's far from over."

Hundreds of British nationals have so far been evacuated from Sudan during a 72-hour ceasefire which had been due to end last night.

They are fleeing fierce fighting sparked by a power struggle between Sudan's army and the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary force, which has killed hundreds and injured thousands of people.

Jennifer, her two sons and two daughters were on one of the first flights to leave after a terrifying trip to the airbase and made it to the UK late on Wednesday via Cyprus.

But her mind was still firmly with her family in Sudan yesterday.

Jennifer said: "It's very stressful. I'm just trying to hold it together for the kids but it hasn't really hit yet.

"Mo is at home and he's safe but the fighting there seems to be intensifying. We're quite afraid as we don't know what they're going to do.