Gloria Tarry was so badly injured in the collision with a lorry on the A6003 between Corby and Kettering last summer that her husband feared she was dead. Mrs Tarry suffered serious head injuries, a broken neck and a broken back and was airlifted to specialist Coventry University Hospital by the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance. Mrs Tarry and her husband Allan, who was also injured in the smash, have now thanked the staff whose actions saved her. Mr Tarry, from Corby, said, "I knew that Gloria's injuries were serious. I thought she was dead as she was unconscious and bleeding heavily.

GLORIA'S STORY...

"The air ambulance team were absolutely wonderful. Without them I doubt she would have survived.

"The speed in which they flew her to hospital and the care the doctor was able to offer on the scene was critical. The crew really are amazing, so skilled and so calm."

When the air ambulance crew arrived on the scene on August 2 Gloria was semi-conscious and not breathing properly.

She had serious head injuries requiring emergency surgery, a broken neck, fractured lower back, fractured ribs, a punctured lung, broken clavicle, broken ankle and a damaged spleen.

Dr Neil Thomson helped rescue Gloria. He said "On arriving at the scene it was immediately obvious that Gloria had suffered some very serious injuries and was critically ill.

"As she was semi-conscious and not breathing effectively, we very quickly anaesthetised, stabilised, and then immobilised. She was then flown to Coventry where she was met by a team of emergency medicine specialists, trauma surgeons and critical-care doctors."

Mrs Tarry spent seven weeks in hospital in Coventry before being transferred to Northampton for further treatment and the start of rehabilitation. She is now making a good recovery.

Dr Thomson continued: "It was great to see Gloria and Allan when they recently visited the base and to see that Gloria was making such a good recovery.

"We were so very concerned about her, and wondered whether she would actually survive."

Mrs Tarry said: "It was fantastic to meet the doctor and team who rescued me.

"I now see the helicopter flying around and it is nice to know that the crew are doing such a good job and that someone is being well looked after when they are in their hour of need."

Gloria and Allan have since supported the air ambulance by holding their own race night which raised £2,500.

The couple are also supporting the WNAA Heroes Run that takes place at East Carlton Park, Corby, on Sunday, July 4.

Participants can take part in fancy dress as their favourite hero.

For more information visit www.wnaa.co.uk, email heroes@wnaa.co.uk or call 0845 4130999.