A WILDLIFE worker has has had to learn to walk again after an horrific car crash has thanked the sky medics who flew to her aid.

Sophie Court was driving on the A66 heading towards Penrith when she lost control of her car as it aquaplaned and crashed into a tree.

It was a terrifying accident that has seen her rebuild her life after undergoing gruelling treatment to overcome serious leg injuries.

After nine months, she has taken her first steps without sticks to aid her.

The 24-year-old was on her way to work at Cumbria Wildlife Trust when the accident happened, on May 11 last year.

She said: "Two cars in front of me slowed suddenly so I slammed on my breaks and hit a puddle of water which made me lose control of the car.

"I went across the carriageway and hit the central reservation which then rebounded me back into a tree. The right-hand side of the car and front bumper were all smashed in.

“I was trapped but I was able to flag down a car and the driver, a man from Cockermouth, called the emergency services.

“I can remember the police and paramedics arriving as well as the fire engine from Penrith who then called a second team from Shap.

"I was trapped for about two hours. They had to break the back window and take the roof off to free me. It was a complicated procedure because my foot had gone through the floor. I wanted to get out because I thought the car might blow up.”

The Great North Air Ambulance Service arrived at the scene and the on-board doctor and paramedic crew worked alongside a rapid response doctor from the BASICS team and the North West Ambulance Service to treat Miss Court before she was flown to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary. She was at the hospital within 20 minutes.

She said: “I was given some ketamine and I remember coming round in the helicopter and I asked whether I was dead because when I looked up all I could see was clouds.” 

Miss Court, of Hawkshead, had suffered a broken left tibia, displaced right femur and a tailbone injury.

In hospital, she underwent an operation and spent two weeks in the RVI before being transferred to Carlisle's Cumberland Infirmary for a further four days.

She this week met the crew of the Great North Air Ambulance's Langwathby-based Pride of Cumbria helicopter, which was scrambled to her crash scene.

She said: "I’ve realised how quickly life can change. I was told that my feet were nearly amputated.

“I feel very grateful that I have seen life from a wheelchair. It was interesting and I found the world was difficult. It’s opened my eyes and in the future I hope to help people in that position.

“I’m not sure my legs will ever be as strong as they were before but I’m here."

On her gratitude to the air ambulance crews, she added: "GNAAS are amazing.

"With the location of Cumbria and vast mountains, they do a great job. I just wanted to say thank you.

"I can’t remember much so I feel like it is some kind of closure. If it wasn’t for these people maybe I wouldn’t be where I am so it’s a massive thing."