A student nurse was left for dead in a suspected hit-and-run, after a stolen Land Rover, which was being chased by police, crossed the central reservation on the A449 Stafford Road in Wolverhampton.
After travelling back from work with a colleague, Freya Theobold, 19, was a passenger in a Ford Fiesta when she collided with the stolen vehicle. She was rushed to hospital following the collision at around 20:30 on the 30th of September, after having to be cut from her colleague’s car, which her stepmother Jolene described as “completely crumpled”. Freya suffered a fractured spine, a collapsed lung, a split bowel, and a bleed on the brain and was placed in an induced coma. The teenager, who had just started her nursing degree, is currently fighting for her life in Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Freya’s mother Jolene said: “Freya had been at work looking after palliative care patients and was getting a lift home with a colleague. The car went over the central reservation and into their lane. It went straight into them. She had to be cut out of the car because she was stuck inside.”
“She’s had emergency surgery on her bowel because it was split in two. She’s had a nail put in her femur bone. She’s got broken ribs and a collapsed lung. She’s had lacerations to her liver and pancreas. She was in an induced coma but doctors have now reduced her sedation. She’ll have the odd moment where she’ll say something to us but she’s sleeping a lot.”
“When she does wake up she’s generally panicked. They’ve said she was very lucky. The doctors have said she’s very fragile and vulnerable at the moment. Her colleague managed to walk away without any injuries. She saw the car coming towards them and swerved. She’s worked so hard, and for her to be out there helping others and this happened, it’s unbelievable.”
Her father Tom said: “Freya’s whole life has changed. Her life won’t be the same. Mentally she’s not going to be the same either. I nearly lost my daughter to this and it’s going to be a long process. I just want justice for Freya.”
An 18-year-old man has been arrested and released on bail on suspicion of vehicle theft and dangerous driving.
Friends of Freya have launched a GoFundMe appeal for the student, which has so far raised more than £5,000.