North Yorkshire teen who survived 'bomb-like' injuries after being hit by a tractor vows to give back
A 21-year-old woman who spent almost two years in a specialist trauma hospital in Leeds after being hit by a tractor, is vowing to give back to those who helped save her life
A teenager who spent 17 months in a major trauma hospital recovering from bomb-like injuries after being hit by a tractor has shared her story for the first time.
Lucie Maguire who lives near Harrogate, suffered life-changing injuries when she was hit by a tractor and dragged along the road under its 10-tonne trailer in North Yorkshire on 27 January 2021.
She had been trying to help her mum out of their smoke-filled car at the time.
Her injuries, compared to those suffered by bomb-blast victims in wars, included full amputation of her right leg and pelvis, broken back and internal damage to key organs including her bladder.
Speaking for the first time, to kick start the launch of Day One Trauma Support, the charity that helped with her recovery, she wants to raise awareness of the work they do.
Lucie told us she would like to become a peer support, someone who helps other people in her position.
She said: “Day One Trauma Support was amazing. I feel like they saved my life. They were one of my constants, providing that emotional support that the busy NHS staff just don’t have the time to give. They were with me at the start and they’ve been with me ever since.
“Day One Trauma Support was amazing. I feel like they saved my life. They were one of my constants, providing that emotional support that the busy NHS staff just don’t have the time to give. They were with me at the start and they’ve been with me ever since.
"The emotional support my mum and I received from Day One was massive. Someone to talk to. Someone to offload to. Someone who doesn’t judge and knows the bad days will get better.
“I had no idea how I was going to live and pay for things outside of hospital if I wasn’t working. I had never thought about benefits as I’m a young woman and expected to work all my life. I didn’t know how it all worked and what I needed to put in place when I left hospital. I remember speaking to someone from Day One about what I was entitled to, which was a massive relief for me as I wouldn’t have known where to start.
“Christmas 2021 in hospital was the worst. I should have been partying with my friends, not crying in hospital and worrying about my future.
"I’m so grateful that Day One was there for me and my family at Christmas. They do so much for people with injuries like mine, which is why I’m so passionate to support their Christmas Appeal and would encourage anyone to donate and help other people like me.”