BUS crash victim Lisa Holmes has today spoken for the first time about her joy of finally being at home after 99 long days in hospital.

Naomi Cassidy

BUS crash victim Lisa Holmes has today spoken for the first time about her joy of finally being at home after 99 long days in hospital.

The mother of one from Purdis Farm, Ipswich has fought hard to recover after she fell under a bus in Tacket Street in February which left her with horrific brain and pelvic injuries.

However following months of rehabilitation, the 39-year-old of Whitehorn Road can now walk unaided and is enjoying her first few weeks of being at home with her husband, Rob, and one-year-daughter Ciara.

Today she spoke to the Evening Star to thank all those who sent her messages of support and to the emergency services who saved her life.

She said: “I am absolutely delighted to be at home. I was 99 days in hospital and it feels great to be out at last.

“I got lovely cards from people I did not know and people who I hadn't heard from in a while. I was so touched and it was messages like that that meant so much.

“I want to thank all the emergency services and those at Ipswich Hospital and Addenbrooke's Hospital for all they did. I am so lucky to be here. They saved my life. It is only recently I realised I had brain injuries- I thought it was just pelvic injuries.”

It is still early days for Mrs Holmes, who only returned home two weeks ago after spending four months in various wards in Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridgeshire.

Although she gets tired more easily, Mrs Holmes is adopting her role as a mother again after so long away and remains positive about the future.

She added: “I'm so happy to be back with my family. I'm enjoying spending time with Ciara-she cheers me up because she is always smiling.

“I'm really positive about the future and it has given me a different perspective on life.”

Mr Holmes said: “Things are fabulous at the moment. She still has to have a bit more rehabilitation but it is all going well. It's great to have her home and it's lovely to see her bond again with Ciara.

“My mum and dad have been living here for the past three months helping to look after Ciara. I couldn't have done it without them.”

Mr and Mrs Holmes had been out in the town shopping for their daughter's first birthday which was two days after the accident. Mr Holmes has taken Ciara in her pushchair and was due to meet up with his wife when he saw all the emergency services and realised she had been injured. She was initially taken to Ipswich Hospital and then transferred to Addenbrooke's. She still has no memory of the accident.

- Have you overcome serious injuries? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

- Later this year Mr Holmes is planning to do a sponsored walk from Ipswich to Cambridge to raise money for the organisations that helped his wife, including the air ambulance.

He is looking for help from someone with experience in walking and who may be able to assist in putting together a route between Ipswich and Cambridge via public pathways.

If you think you can help, write to Rob Holmes, c/o The Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk, and include your contact details.