* Caroline Franks with son Ollie.
A woman has spoken movingly about how her life was ripped apart by a
fatal road crash which left her with life-changing injuries.
According to former care worker Caroline Franks, 60, from Glyn Ceiriog,
she was struggling to come to terms with what happened until she received
support from Brake, a road safety charity that receives funding from North
Wales Police and Crime Commissioner.
The head on collision happened in September 2018 when she was returning
from enjoying a family with her son, her former partner and his mother.
A white van came around a corner on the wrong side of the road and into
the path of their car which was being driven by her partner.
She said “We had been for a family meal and were driving home through
Chirk at around 8.30pm.
“I was in the passenger seat, my son, Ollie, who was in university at
the time, was sat behind the driver’s seat alongside my former partner’s mum
who was directly behind me.
“We were near the garden centre in Chirk when I saw a white van. He was
going too fast and although it was only a split second it seemed to go in slow
motion. I knew he was going to hit us. My then partner had no chance of
avoiding him.
“The impact left me with life-changing injuries, my partner’s mum was
flown to Stoke with massive injuries from which she died of two weeks later.
“My son had abdominal bruising but escaped serious injury while my
partner escaped relatively unhurt.”
She added: “Following the crash I had internal abdominal bleeding and
had a lump the size of a rugby ball in my abdomen. I was operated on at
Wrexham. The worst injury as it turns out was to my left foot which was totally
smashed.
“I can now walk but have a permanent limp and was due to go back to
Wrexham to discuss with the consultant whether I should have a further
operation to fuse my ankle into a set position but the pandemic means that’s on
hold.
“That might help with the constant pain and my inability to stand for
long periods. My foot is already held together by screws and pins and I’m not
really sure whether I can face another operation.
“Ollie has recovered physically but mentally it’s more difficult. He is
still very nervous about getting in a car and will avoid doing so if he can.”
Caroline says after the crash she was left in a wheelchair and split
with her partner but was then left not knowing what was happening over the
crash.
She said: “I was hearing nothing and was diagnosed by my GP as suffering
from depression and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). My GP arranged for
me to have counselling but it’s after I contacted Brake and I got most help
over the crash.
“I called them and they got the police to talk to me. The police were
speaking to my former partner as he was the driver but he wasn’t telling me
what was going on.
“I needed to know what was happening to the driver, who I knew had been
charged with drink driving, causing the death of my then partner’s mother and
causing serious injury to me. Brake kept in touch and helped me.
“The offending driver was eventually sentenced to six years imprisonment
which I thought was fair. But then it turns out he got four years for causing
death and two years for causing my serious injury but that was to run
concurrently. So in truth, he will be out after serving about half of the four
years.
“It’s pointless being angry though, you just have to let it go. I’m now
unable to do the carer work I was doing as I can’t stand for long periods and
I’m working for a friend just doing 10 hours a week clerical work for her
business.
“I’ve always been a cautious driver but even more so now. I hate driving
and being in a car but living in a rural area I’ve little choice. It was an
awful experience and I’m still suffering physically now but things are easier.
“And a lot of that is down to the help and support I received from
Brake. I can’t praise them enough.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones, a former police inspector,
said: “I’m pleased to be able to support Brake in their work with the victims
of fatal and serious injury crashes here in North Wales.
“The charity is able to step in and support people at a time when they
need help and advice. I know from my own police service the devastating impact
a serious road traffic collision can have on families and individuals.
“Anything that can be done to help these victims get the information and
help they need should be done.
“I know the charity is putting the funding my office supplies to good
use in helping all those affected by serious injury and fatal road crashes
across North Wales.”
He added: “Of course I’m bound to say that we could all help to reduce
the number of times that the services of Brake are required by thinking about
the way we use the road and driving motor vehicles in a responsible manner.
“If we can reduce speeding, drink and drug driving then we can all play
a role in saving lives.”
It was a message echoed by Brake’s Partnership Development Manager,
Jennifer MacDuff, who thanked Mr Jones for the funding he provided.
She said: “In the past 12 months Brake’s helpline here in North Wales
led to three families left devastated after losing loved ones in fatal crashes
getting the support they needed.
“In addition we supported seven other people involved in serious injury
crashes, sent out 50 of our bereavement packs and 10 children’s information
books.
“Following every fatal or serious injury crash police officer s leave a
copy of Brake’s bereavement pack with the family.
“The Information and Advice for Bereaved Families and Friends Following
Death on the Road pack is updated regularly in consultation with experts.
“It contains information on what happens after a crash, practical
issues, how investigations are carried out and information on criminal charges,
court cases, claiming compensation and useful organisations.
“A bereaved family member can then call the Brake helpline. Referrals
also come in from professionals such as police family liaison officers, medical
professionals, schools and other voluntary and charitable organisations.
“The Brake helpline is a quality accredited free phone and online
service available across the UK. The service helps callers feel able to cope in
the aftermath of a road crash, providing confidential, needs-led support
planning for victims, safeguarding those who are high risk and vulnerable.
She added: “Fatal car crashes are akin to a homicide to most bereaved
families. They need support and help with issues such as court cases and
practical and emotional support.
“It’s a holistic service that works well, not just here in North Wales
but across the whole country.
“But without the support of the North Wales Police and Crime
Commissioner and the funds he provides we simply couldn’t be as effective nor
help as many victims as we do in the region.”