A BARROW woman had an emotional reunion with the nurses that saved her life after falling from a fairground ride.

In August 2021, Chloe Austin, then 20-years-old, was ejected and dragged underneath a ride at Fudstock while it was still in motion.

Chloe sustained multiple life-threatening injuries and it was feared at the time of the incident, and in the hours and days that followed, that she would not survive.

The Mail: Chloe Austin meeting nurses.Credit: ITVChloe Austin meeting nurses.Credit: ITV

She had a complex open book fracture to her pelvis, multiple internal injuries, an open fracture of her lower leg, and multiple chest and facial injuries.

As part of the major trauma pathway Chloe was transferred to Furness General Hospital for immediate resuscitation and stabilisation. Great North Air Ambulance (GNAAS) transported Chloe to the Royal Preston Hospital as the regional Major Trauma Centre.

Once stabilised Chloe was transferred to the Critical Care Unit where she spent 19 days before being transferred to the Major Trauma Ward. Her parents recall being told that Chloe only had a 10 per cent chance of survival.

Chloe was in hospital for a total of 90 days and was treated by multiple surgical specialties.

Chloe recalls being told she may never be able to walk properly again due to her serious pelvic injury, but with the help of the specialist AHP team (physiotherapists, occupational therapists and psychology), Chloe continued to make a steady recovery.

Chloe’s operations to her leg and pelvis were successful, with no impact on her ability to walk.

The Mail: Chloe Austin with Royal Preston Hospital staffChloe Austin with Royal Preston Hospital staff

ITV recorded the moment Chloe reunited with the staff that helped her on the road to recovery.

During the emotional clip, a tearful Chloe embraces the medical staff who hand her a bouquet of flowers.

In the clip, student nurse Chloe said: “I was a 20-year-old lass going through all these life-changing injuries and they deal with it on a day-to-day basis.

"I just needed that support and that's what they gave me. The support and reassurance didn't go unnoticed at all.

"I only knew what it was like to be student nurse, treating patients. But I feel like I have that patient experience, being bed-bound and suffering with injuries.

"It makes you see things from a completely different point of view now."

Doctors have predicted it will take Chloe around two years to fully recover from the accident.

A year from Chloe's life-changing accident has coincided with the ten-year anniversary of the centre which saved her life.

Royal Preston Hospital became a Major Trauma Centre (MTC) for Lancashire & South Cumbria in July 2012. 

Since then, the Major Trauma Centre has treated more than 11,500 trauma patients, many with life changing and life-threatening injuries. 

As the regional MTC, Royal Preston Hospital receives the most severely injured patients from across the Lancashire & South Cumbria region and provides critical, life saving treatment.