Woman Who Was In Coma For 19 Days Continues ‘Great Progress’ In Recovery

A young woman who suffered a serious head injury when she was knocked down on a pedestrian crossing is campaigning to reduce the number of people injured or killed on the roads.
 
Steph Blake, 22, was seriously hurt when she was involved in a collision with a car on the A35 Totton Bypass.

She was taken to Southampton General Hospital and admitted to Wessex Neurological Unit. She underwent a six hour operation to remove part of her skull due to her brain swelling. She was in a coma for 19 days. Steph has also undergone two further operations due to her traumatic injuries.

Her injuries also meant that she was unable to take up a job offer to become a cabin crew member of EasyJet.

Following the incident, Steph, of Totton, instructed serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help her access specialist rehabilitation she requires.

Now, with their work ongoing, the legal experts have joined with her to mark Brake’s annual Road Safety Week.

Expert Opinion

“This case is yet another example of the huge effect that road traffic collisions can have on those involved, with Steph suffering devastating, life-threatening injuries which have impacted greatly on her life.

“While Steph has undoubtedly made great progress considering everything she has been through, she still continues to experience significant issues related to the injuries. Not only that, but she has also faced the heartbreak of her life changing causing her to miss out on a dream job opportunity.

“Road Safety Week is an important time to reflect on what we can all do to ensure road users and pedestrians are always safe from harm. We would urge everyone across our region to use the campaign as an opportunity to consider how they could take extra care and make safety their primary concern.” Claire Howard - Solicitor

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in handling serious injury cases 

Steph, who lives at home with parents Sue and Steve, had waited for a green man before crossing the A35 on the morning of 22 June, 2018. She stepped out onto the road after the lights changed. While one lane of traffic had stopped, Steph  was hit by  a car in the second lane which had not stopped.

She recalled: “I remember the cars had stopped and the lane being empty,  then I remember a car at my left hip. I can also remember laying on the ground and think I have memory of people coming to help.  After that there is just nothing. The next thing I recall is waking up in hospital and seeing my Dad.”

She has made strong progress since the incident, but still continues to face issues with fatigue, memory loss, concentration and some behavioural issues. She has received a range of rehabilitation support since leaving hospital in August 2018.

Steph’s friends raised hundreds of pounds for her which she decided t donate to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance which was called to the crash scene.

Steph added: “The past year or so has been the most difficult of my life and the incident has affected me in so many ways. I was devastated that I couldn’t take up my cabin crew job and it is difficult not to think about how things could have been different.

“However, I have to remember that I’m lucky to be alive. I’m determined to look to the future and move forward with my life. Nothing will change what has happened, but I just want to encourage people to always be careful on the road. Failing to do so can have massive consequences.”

Road Safety Week runs from 18-24 November and is organised by Brake.