Trailer crash gran's amazing recovery; HORROR: No one expected Sylvia to survive her injuries but she proved them wrong.(News)
Byline: By Sam Webb
A GRANDMOTHER who almost died after a freak accident has told of her incredible recovery.
School dinner lady Sylvia Norburn, aged 61, suffered horrific injuries when a trailer ploughed into her as she walked to work in July.
Her husband Colin and their three daughters feared the worst when they saw how ill she was after the accident in Deedmore Road, Wood End, Coventry.
Sylvia suffered a fractured skull and multiple broken bones and needed three hours of emergency surgery.
For two weeks she was either unconscious or sedated as her family kept a constant vigil at her bedside.
Two months on, Sylvia is now well on the road to recovery - and she puts it down to her own will to live.
Although she's still in Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital, she is hoping to be home in time to celebrate Christmas with her family.
Speaking from her hospital bed, Sylvia said: "I shouldn't even be here, but now I'm getting there. I'm determined.
"I'm just thankful I got through it. I was shocked when I heard what I'd been through. I feel lucky."
Sylvia, of Monkswood Crescent, Henley Green, was walking to her job as a dinner lady at Moat House Primary School, Deedmore Road, Wood End, on July 18 when her world was turned upside down.
A flat-bed trailer being towed by a white van came loose, jumped the pavement and crashed into her outside the school.
She was intitially taken to Walsgrave Hospital and underwent an operation to stop internal bleeding.
She can't remember anything about the accident, or the following two weeks while she was in intensive care.
But this isn't the first time Sylvia has overcome adversity. She survived breast cancer a year ago and nine years ago recovered from a heart attack.
Sylvia is now having extensive physiotherapy at Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital to get her up and about again.
Sylvia said: "I want to get home because there are all these little jobs around the house that he won't do!"
The couple's daughters are Julie, aged 39, a kitchen assistant who lives in Nuneaton, Tracey, aged 35, a pre-school manager who lives in Styvechale, and Victoria, aged 26, a care assistant who lives in Wyken.
They have four grandchildren Lee, aged 14, Emilie, aged 11, Christopher, aged 14, Matthew, aged 11.
The pair met through a pen pal magazine while Colin was serving with the Royal Engineers in Germany in 1961.
Police at Little Park Street station are still making inquiries into the accident but no arrests have been made.
Holiday plans for my miracle wife
SYLVIA and Colin have already booked a holiday to the Isle of Wight next year.
Colin, aged 63, an engineer, said: "When I found out how serious it was it was like having my world taken away.
"She was unconscious and sedated for 14 days after the accident but when she came around it was a great joy.
"My oldest daughter came to visit and when she spoke to her it was a total surprise, she almost burst into tears.
"A policeman who came to get a statement said he never expected to be able to visit and speak to her."
CAPTION(S):
D28222_1. GETTING BETTER... Colin Norburn at the bedside of his wife, Sylvia, who was nearly killed when a trailer ploughed into her as she walked to work. Picture: Lisa Carey; INVESTIGATION... Police examine the scene of the trailer incident in Wood End, Coventry, in July
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