Joy as crash girl Hayley Pierce comes home to Worthing
LIKE winning the lottery – that is how the father of a Worthing teenager who was in an horrific car crash, described the news that she was coming home from hospital.
Hairdresser Hayley Pierce suffered severe head injuries after the crash in Southwick on March 5 and was given just 24 hours to live – but on Friday, April 3, doctors discharged the 18-year-old, who has made "amazing progress".
Her father Gerry said: "The difference each week has been remarkable. Hayley is back, she's asking why everyone is making a fuss of her and she's finally regained most of her memory.
"Her odds of making a recovery after the crash were 1,000 to one – she's defied all the odds. It is amazing progress."
Emotional moment
Mr Pierce, 45, emotionally described the moment his family had Hayley baptised in hospital while she was sedated, after doctors said she was unlikely to survive.
He said: "Hayley's grand-dad suggested the baptism, and the last rites were read.
"I can remember every single moment since I heard the news of the crash, from seeing her swollen face to the moment she opened her eyes.
"I had to write it all down because it is the only way I could cope.
"It felt like my heart had been ripped out and there was nothing I could do to help."
Miracle recovery
Mr Pierce said his 'miracle' daughter amazed doctors with her progress.
She opened her eyes within a week of the crash and then began walking the following week.
Mr Pierce said Hayley was keen to get back to hairdressing at Diamond Cut in Goring, and has been saying to her family: "Life is too short, so enjoy it and make it worthwhile while you can."
However, doctors have told Hayley she must take life one day at a time as the exact impact of the head injury is not known and they recommend she does not go back to work for at least a month.
Memory-loss
Mr Pierce added: "It is difficult for Hayley to understand what we as a family went through.
"To her it's as if she went to sleep and woke up none the wiser while everyone else is acting differently around her."
The teenager still cannot remember details of the crash, which killed the car's driver, James Thetford, 21.
"She asks about James' family but it is frustrating because she just doesn't know what happened," added Mr Pierce.
"Now we are focusing on getting back to normal. Hayley can't wait to get out with her friends, clubbing and partying."
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Weather for Worthing
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
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