25.11.2024 - Norfolk Mum Left Paralysed From The Neck Down After Teenage Driver Filming Overtaking Manoeuvres On ...

25.11.2024

A Norfolk mum has been left paralysed by a speeding driver filming himself on his mobile phone overtaking vehicles while using his knees to steer.

Catherine Davies was waiting at the A47 junction with Church Lane and Sandy Lane, indicating to turn right into Church Lane toward East Tuddenham when her Skoda Fabia was hit from behind by a Volkswagen Golf.

The mum-of-one was taken by ambulance to hospital, where she was found to have suffered a catastrophic brain injury and spinal injuries. She wasn't expected to survive and began receiving palliative care.

Around three-and-a-half weeks later, Catherine, aged 51, underwent surgery to stabilise her spine before being transferred from critical care to the high dependency unit. She was diagnosed as tetraplegic.

Catherine's vocal cords were also severely damaged which limits her speech. She cannot breathe independently and relies on a ventilator to keep her alive. She now has a tracheostomy - an opening in the windpipe from outside the neck to help air reach her lungs - and an eye-gaze machine to help her communicate.

Following the crash, in January 2023, Catherine's dad Jeremy, 76, instructed expert serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help his daughter access the specialist therapies and rehabilitation she requires.

At a hearing on 25 November, the Golf driver was sentenced. He previously pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

During investigations it was found that on the morning of the collision, he had been using his mobile phone to film himself driving at speed and overtaking while using his knees to steer. He had also sent videos, text messages and made phone calls.

Jeremy is now joining his legal team in warning of the dangers of using a phone while driving.

Ruth Booy, the specialist serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell supporting Jeremy and Catherine, said after the hearing:

Expert Opinion

"This is a truly tragic case where a loving mum has suffered life-changing injuries as a result of the selfish and dangerous actions of another driver.

"While the lives of Catherine, Jeremy and their loved ones will never be the same again, we're determined to ensure they have access to the ongoing care and support they need.

"What happened to Catherine is yet another stark reminder of the devastating consequences people can be left to face because of the actions of those who think it's acceptable to break the law.

"The dangers of using a mobile while driving should never be downplayed. While it's too late for this family we hope this case acts as a deterrent, so the numbers seriously injured or killed on our roads reduces." Ruth Booy

The crash happened at around 11am on 18 January 2023, at the A47 junction with Church Lane and Sandy Lane.

Having spent nearly 2 years in various hospitals and the Princess Alexandra Hospital Spinal Injuries Unit in Sheffield, Catherine was finally discharged in November 2024.

Catherine has moved into an adapted rented property with a 24-hour care team and the extensive life supporting and enhancing equipment she now requires. She is also supported by a private Case Manager and multidisciplinary therapy team.

Prior to her injuries, Catherine had worked on cruise ships and in retail, before qualifying as a consultant working in estate planning and will writing. She was also a qualified personal trainer and ran fitness classes in her spare time.

She is a single mum to her 10-year-old son.

Jeremy, a retired civil servant, said: "Catherine has always been such a gregarious person with a great sense of humour and so full of life. She had a strong work ethic and would put her hand to anything and everything. She also dotes on her son.

"I'll never forget that day when we were told she had been in an accident, and then arriving at the hospital to be facing the reality that we may lose her. To hear that my only daughter may not survive was heart-breaking and, as her dad, all I wanted to do was make everything better for her.

"The past 22 months have been traumatic and while I can't change anything, I hope that by speaking out I can make others aware of what can happen on the roads. Catherine's life was changed in a split second, and I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

"My focus now is to help Catherine and her son as much as I can to make their lives as comfortable as possible."

The Volkswagen Golf driver, 19-year-old George Taylor from Stretham, Ely, was sentenced to 26 months in a young offenders institute and disqualified from driving for 40 months.

Speaking after the sentencing, lead investigating officer Sgt Callum Walchester of Norfolk Police Force, said: "This is a deeply tragic case which, like many collisions, could have been entirely avoidable.

"Catherine was a fit and healthy mother who now, because of Taylor's actions, will live out the rest of her life paralysed requiring life-long care and support.

"George Taylor made multiple decisions to use his mobile phone that day and in doing so put himself and everyone else at significant risk. It was Catherine who has paid the price.

"The use of a mobile phone is one of the Fatal 4 offences, it's distracting and put simply, it's dangerous. It doesn't matter what you are using it for, you are putting every road user is at risk.

"It's because of incidents like this that the team work tirelessly to enforce not only mobile phone offences, but all the Fatal 4 offences and we will continue to do so. People often think it will never happen to them,

But incidents like these are indiscriminate, they can happen to anyone at any time.

"It doesn't matter how good a driver you may think you are, by using your mobile phone you are risking the life of every road user you encounter.

"Please, if you take nothing else from this message, watch the video , watch how quickly things can change and realise the very real consequences."

Fatal 4 offences are speeding, drink driving, not wearing a seatbelt and using a mobile phone.

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