Woman Seriously Injured When She Was Crushed By A Car Appeals For Other To Support Campaign

A woman seriously injured when she was crushed by a car is leading an urgent appeal to protect frontline health workers against the onslaught of Covid-19.

Demelza Fry suffered multiple injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, when she was hit by a car which then rolled on top of her in Hove. .

Demelza was trapped under the vehicle. She suffered a cardiac arrest and her brain was starved of oxygen for 12 minutes, resulting in serious brain damage.

Following the collision the 42-year-old of Hove instructed expert serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help her access the specialist care and therapies she requires because of her injuries.

Demelza, who still experiences cognitive symptoms and fatigue, is now coordinating a GoFundMe appeal to provide desperately needed face shields to frontline Covid-19 workers in East and West Sussex.

Expert Opinion

“Demelza’s story vividly highlights the consequences of drivers not paying attention. Through no fault of her own Demelza suffered serious injuries in the collision which have had a major impact on her life.

“While she has made a remarkable recovery she still faces many challenges ahead. We are proud of how Demelza is facing up to these challenges while also being determined to help in the frontline fight against Covid-19.

“We hope as many people as possible support her campaign to help protect key workers.” Amey Welch - Associate Solicitor

The collision happened in Hove in 2016.

A first responder arrived on the scene within a minute of a 999 call to find her trapped beneath the vehicle, her heart already in cardiac arrest.

It took three minutes for nearby residents to retrieve her from under the car and then, reportedly, a further five to eight minutes to get her heart started again.

But by then, Demelza’s brain had been starved of oxygen for up to 12 minutes, resulting in hypoxic brain damage.

Demelza, who spent three months in hospital, said: “I owe my life to the NHS; they held my life in their hands and never gave up, especially the first responder who got my heart started again and coordinated my rescue.

“I cannot thank enough those who have supported me for over three and a half years since the accident.

“Without this support I would not be able to function as well as I am today.”
 
So far in her appeal, with the support of other volunteers, Demelza has managed to:
 
• Source the face shield materials
• Set up a GoFundMe page
• Rally self-assembly volunteers from across the two counties
• Assemble and distribute (to date) 360 face shields to frontline medical and care staff
• Maintain regular appeal updates

 However, she’s now appealing for extra help in the following ways:
 
• More donations
• More people to share the GoFundMe link
• More people to help assemble the face shields from home
• More people to help coordinate the distribution
• Help to find a company that can sanitise the face shields in Sussex

Speaking about her campaign she added: “I could not sit back and watch them fight this Covid-19 war without armour.

“I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has contributed so far. It has potentially saved the lives of many.

“However, I would love to be able to help protect so many more which is why I’m asking for your help.”

To donate or offer practical support, please contact Demelza via her  appeal site at  www.gofundme.com/f/1z7ene5mhc

Find out more about our expertise in supporting clients at our serious injury section.

Demelza is also receiving support from Krysalis Consultancy, which provides neurological occupational therapy rehabilitation services.  Free, downloadable Covid-19 resources to support brain injury survivors and their families during Covid-19 are available at www.krysalisconsultancy.co.uk/public-resources