Jamie Lynn Spears reveals daughter Maddie was read last rites by priest after near-fatal ATV accident

Jamie Lynn Spears revealed that her daughter Maddie was read her last rites by a priest following her near-fatal ATV accident nine years earlier. 

The 35-year-old star, who is the youngest sister of pop singer Britney Spears, opened up about the topic during an interview with People published on Wednesday alongside her eldest child, 18.

The harrowing incident occurred in February 2017 when Maddie was just eight. She had been driving an ATV which flipped over into a pond, causing her to nearly drown due to being trapped underneath.  

After being airlifted to a hospital, Maddie recovered from her injuries, which Spears has called a 'miracle.' However, the Zoey 101 alum had initially believed the worst after the accident.

'That was the day I thought I'd lost my daughter. Against all odds, this baby girl fought to be here,' she told the outlet, before recalling how a priest came in to read Maddie her last rites after being in a coma for two days. 

'He comes in, and she physically sits up in all her restraints and tubes. I'm screaming for the doctors, like "Come in here now!" Even the priest was like, "I've never seen anything like what's happening."' 

The actress added, 'I knew she was in there and felt all of us praying. We were given a miracle, and I don't take it for granted.'

Spears, who shares Maddie with ex-fiance Casey Aldridge, remembered witnessing the terrifying moment with husband Jamie Watson. 

'She went in the water and me, my father-in-law and my husband [Watson] ran as fast as we could to go jump in to get her out, but she was stuck under the ATV.'

The star's mother-in-law called 911 as they tried to free Maddie from the ATV. 

After first responders arrived to the scene, they were able to pull her daughter out but she had not been breathing at the time. 

'We thought that she had passed,' Spears revealed, before a firefighter had announced that they 'got a pulse.' 

Maddie was airlifted to the Children's Hospital New Orleans where she made a miraculous recovery. 

The 18-year-old, who recently celebrated her high school graduation, also told People how her family's faith has strengthened since the accident. 

'I feel like our faith got a lot stronger. In the end, I think such a negative experience affected us positively,' the teen said. 

Spears also emotionally reflected on how God gave Maddie a second chance at life. 

'And then He gave her back in a way that she's succeeding, she's beautiful, she's kind, she's smart...I feel like I don't get to ask for anything else in life because I got the biggest blessing.'

Earlier this year in February, the actress commemorated the 'miracle anniversary' of her daughter's ATV accident.   

Spears uploaded photos of Maddie during her recovery inside the hospital while another photo was taken of the helicopter for the Children's Hospital New Orleans.

The star penned in the caption: 'MIRACLE ANNIVERSARY. I will never take for granted the gift we were given, bc I'm very aware that so many times in these situations that is not the case. 

'Thank you to every first responder, medical professional, friend, family, every single person who prayed for her, and ABOVE ALL THANK YOU GOD.' 

The mom-of-two concluded the message by telling her followers to 'go love on your people extra today, at the end of the day that is all that really matters.'

And nine years after the accident, Spears had the chance to celebrate Maddie's big milestone as she graduated high school. 

Maddie could be seen towering over the former Nickelodeon star ahead of the teen's high school graduation in a series of sweet Instagram snaps last month during a pre-graduation ceremony. 

In some of the images, the 18-year-old could be seen standing inches above Spears as they both flashed cheerful smiles towards the camera. 

Spears had the chance to cheer on the teen as she took part in an event for the National Honor Society.

Another slide captured Maddie holding up a Chanel box that was gifted to her.

The proud mom also gave her followers a glimpse at the teen's black graduation robe and matching cap, as well as a Class of 2026 gold stole and another from the National Honor Society.

A number of medals showcasing Maddie's achievements during her time in high school were also displayed.

Spears welcomed Maddie to the world in June 2008, whom she shares with ex-fiance Casey Aldridge. 

The former couple split the following year.

'You have your first love, or what you call love in high school,' she previously told Nylon in 2020.

'You think it's forever, and then, oh my gosh, I'm pregnant. I am mortified to have to tell my parents this and my family this.'

She further recalled, 'That was all I was thinking about: "These are the people I love that I have to tell, and also, I'm pregnant. There's a human being growing inside of me, and I'm so young, I'm almost a baby myself."

'I didn't really care about any of that nonsense, but when we did announce that I was pregnant, I did hide away for a little bit during that time and I didn't have a phone...'

Spears later met businessman Jamie Watson and the pair tied the knot in 2014 during a ceremony in New Orleans.

Four years later in 2018, the couple welcomed daughter Ivey.

Along with focusing on her family, the star has also stepped back onto the TV screen in the Netflix series Sweet Magnolias.

She portrays the character of Noreen in the show and the fifth season recently hit the streaming site on June 11.