Yorkshire tractor trauma victim supports Day One charity

Lucy Maguire was 19 when she was seriously injured on a country road near Harrogate

A woman hit by a tractor and dragged along the road under its trailer has said the charity which supported her "saved her life".

Lucie Maguire, of Kirkby Malzeard, near Harrogate, North Yorkshire, was 19 when she was injured in the accident on a country road near Ripley in 2021.

She suffered injuries compared to those of a bomb blast victim, including a full amputation of her right leg.

Ms Maguire said Day One Trauma Support was key to her recovery.

Now living in her own bungalow in Kirkby Malzeard and using a power-assisted wheelchair, she is raising awareness of the long recovery journey people face after major traumatic injuries, to support Day One's Christmas appeal.

The charity, set up to help families affected by catastrophic injuries, supported her during her long stay at Leeds General Infirmary, home to the region's major trauma centre.

On the day of the incident, Ms Maguire was a passenger in her mum Sue's car on Fountain's Road when it suddenly filled with smoke.

As she tried to help her mum out of the car, she was hit by the tractor and dragged along the road underneath its 10-tonne trailer.

She remained conscious, telling her parents that she loved them because she expected to die.

Ms Maguire was taken to hospital where she was placed in an induced coma and woke up a month later in the intensive care unit.

'Emotional support'

She had to have her right leg amputated at the hip, suffered a broken back and internal damage to key organs including her bladder.

Now 22, Ms Maguire said: "The only way the doctor could explain my injuries was to compare me to someone who had been blown up in Afghanistan.

"I remember thinking 'Wow, this is serious'."

She added: "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.

Ms Maguire said her injuries were compared to those of bomb blast victims

"They were with me at the start and they've been with me ever since."

Lucy Nickson, of Day One Trauma Support, said people are already struggling financially and can really struggle when a family member suffers a sudden catastrophic injury.

"Our caseworkers are seeing the reality of this every day in the major trauma centres we operate and through our national support service," she said.

"That's why our appeal is so important so that we can reach everyone who needs our help - people like Lucie.

"Lucie's story of recovery is truly inspiring and we're so grateful that she has shared her story to support our cause. Together we can ensure no one is left to rebuild their life on their own this Christmas."