Crash victim left trapped in car with dying pal calls for better support

Gemma Love is calling on more support for car crash victims
-Credit: (Image: Supplied)


A woman left trapped in a car with her dying colleague has called for better support for crash victims.

Gemma Love, who was left unable to walk after a horror car crash which killed her co-worker, has bravely opened up on her ordeal.

The carer was travelling from Lanark to Biggar with South Lanarkshire Council fellow staff member Mary Logan when the tragedy struck after the pair stopped to help an injured animal in January 2019.

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Mary, 62, was driving a Peugeot Blipper van away from where they had parked on the road when the vehicle collided with a car and a Jeep on the A73 near Thankerton.

Gemma is now courageously recalling the incident as she calls for more support for crash recovery victims to cope with ongoing trauma.

Mary was airlifted to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow with severe injuries but passed away two days later.
Mary was airlifted to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow with severe injuries but passed away two days later. -Credit:Supplied

Gemma told the Record: "It was dark and I was trapped in the van. Mary was lying on my lap.

"My left hip took the full impact of the crash and now I can't walk without the help of crutches. I can't stand up for more than ten minutes and I live in chronic pain every single day.

"I have severe depression, ongoing grief, PTSD and I have also developed an eating disorder.

"The crash has ruined my life."

The crash happened on the A73 in Thankerton, Lanarkshire
The crash happened on the A73 in Thankerton, Lanarkshire

Following the accident, Gemma was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at Wishaw General Hospital for a week. She underwent a seven hour long surgery to have her hip and pelvis reconstructed as she'd suffered a "complex break".

Following the surgery, the 27-year-old subsequently rejected open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) as she believed this was not the main source of her pain.

She is now unable to walk without the aid of crutches or a wheelchair.

Gemma claims the pain has gotten worse over the years and affects her mental health daily.

The former carer, who "loved every minute of her job" is now calling for better aftercare for crash victims' wellbeing.

She continued: "I'm looking to break free of this pain - or somehow manage it better. I was offered therapy which cost me £2000 four years after the incident, which I feel made me feel worse.

"I feel the NHS have a duty of care to provide mental health support for victims like myself, but I've been let down.

Gemma uses crutches following the crash
Gemma uses crutches following the crash -Credit:Supplied


"I live every day in that crash and witnessing what I witnessed. I've had to learn to try and cope with the trauma."

Gemma even reached out to a mental health helpline through her employers aimed at supporting people with mental health and wellbeing and was informed that "the case was too in-depth".

She believes victims should be provided with discharge treatment plans that check in on individuals in need during their journey through recovery.

She said: "I'm not aware of any online support groups, nor have I been offered any crash victim recovery support. I don't know anyone in my position or similar. I've felt very alone through the process."

Gemma also touched on the physical ramifications of the crash, admitting she received little physiotherapy after her reconstruction.

"I got physiotherapy in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in 2019 before I was let home in a wheelchair. Since then I have felt forgotten. I've had to reach out for help each time.

"I have an MRI scheduled and I hope to get some answers about my injuries from that. It's my last hope to free myself from this torment."

An NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde spokesperson said: "We provide long-term follow-up orthopaedic support, including outpatient appointments, to all patients who have suffered serious and complex injuries.

"Ms Love is no longer receiving care from us. We are sorry that she is not satisfied with the care she previously received and we would encourage her to contact us directly to discuss this.

"While we cannot comment on individual patient cases due to confidentiality, our sympathies remain with Ms Love following this ordeal."

Mental Wellbeing Minister Maree Todd said: “My sympathies go out to everyone involved in this tragedy.

“Anyone who has been involved in a traumatic incident should be entitled to receive the right help and support, at the right place, at the right time.

“We continue to support NHS services to focus on improving quality and access to psychological treatments, in line with the National Specification for Psychological Therapies and Interventions and the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy.”

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