Out of the Ashes

A young woman's survival of White Island, and the mother's love that saved her

By: Stephanie Browitt, Marie Browitt

Narrated by: JANE KENNEDY, Fiona Macleod, Stephanie Browitt

A powerful memoir about one young woman's survival against the odds, and how the love of her mother saved her.

When the White Island volcano erupted in New Zealand in 2019, it shattered the lives of Stephanie and Marie Browitt.

Stephanie, just 23 years old, suffered horrific burns to 70 per cent of her body and lost her younger sister, Krystal Eve, in the tragedy. Both Stephanie and her father, Paul, were placed in an induced coma, leaving Marie to face the unimaginable: the potential loss of her entire family. As Marie ran from one ICU room to another, Paul lost his battle to survive.

Out of the Ashes is the extraordinary story of how Stephanie miraculously fought back, with her remarkable mum beside her every step of the way, and how mother and daughter were forced to find strength in each other to survive the unthinkable.

This deeply moving story explores Stephanie's fight for survival, her gruelling recovery, and her rise as an advocate for body positivity and resilience. Through heartbreak, hope and their unbreakable bond, Stephanie and Marie Browitt show us the power of love, courage and the human spirit.