Miss World: Welsh beauty queen arrives in India

Darcey Corria struggled with her mental and physical recovery after she was thrown through a car window

A beauty queen who was seriously injured in a crash says she's "overwhelmed" to finally make it to this year's Miss World competition.

In January 2023 Miss Wales Darcey Corria broke her neck and pelvis in a crash on the M4 near Bridgend.

As a result it looked like she might have to forego her place at the pageant as she struggled with her mental and physical recovery.

But now she says she is determined to "bring the crown home to Wales."

She is taking part in Miss World in India.

Darcey, who won the Miss Wales title in 2022, was driving home from Swansea last year when she lost control of her car in bad weather.

• Miss Wales grateful after life-changing crash

• Miss Wales seriously injured in crash on M4

Having skidded to a halt across the carriageway, her vehicle was hit by another, and the impact threw her through the passenger window.

She spent 20 days in hospital and struggled with her mental and physical recovery for some time.

But the 22-year-old from Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan insists that accident has only helped make her stronger.

"I just kept saying to myself, 'Keep going, keep going, you've come this far'," said Darcey.

"'This time last year you couldn't even make it to the bathroom on your own, so look how far you've come'.

Darcey was left seriously injured in the January 2023 crash

"This is a proud moment for me," she added.

Having "fulfilled her dream" of competing in 2024's pageant in India, her goal now is to win and become a role model for young women from ethnic minority backgrounds and anyone struggling with recovery.

"Living in Wales when I was younger I really didn't feel like diversity was celebrated enough and I didn't really see anyone who looked like me in the media," said Darcey, who has a white mother and a father of Jamaican heritage.

"So the most important thing would be to stand as a message to young Asian, black and ethnic minority women in Wales that their dreams are achievable.

"I would also like to be a message to the wider world," she added.

"Recovery is such an immense challenge and you really do have to dig deep to find that mental strength to pull through.

"Because when you get through the other end, like I have, it's such a beautiful and life-changing moment."

With 115 countries represented in Miss World Darcey described herself as an "ambassador for Wales" and has been trying to teach her fellow contestants Welsh and get people interested in her country.

"This morning the girls were quizzing me about Welsh food and I was telling them about Welsh rarebit," she said.

"I've also been talking about the scenery and what there is to do, along with how friendly and kind the people are.

"I am just trying to spread the message that Wales is such a welcoming and diverse country and hope that everyone will come and visit soon."

This year's Miss World winner will be announced on 9 March.