Irishwoman run over in London 'grateful to be alive'

Rebecca says injuries were like ‘torture chamber’ ‘Miraculous’ recovery as she is back running again

- BY ELEANOR FLEMING

A YOUNG Irishwoman who was hit by a car, thrown onto the bonnet and then run over says she sustained injuries that felt like “torture” but is “grateful” to be alive.

Rebecca O'Malley, 31, a speech and language therapist who lives in London, was walking along the pavement with her flatmate last summer when they suddenly heard a “loud revving” noise.

Although Rebecca has no memory of what happened, accounts from others and injuries she sustained suggest she was hit by the car, thrown onto the bonnet and then went under the moving vehicle, suffering “distressing” injuries.

Members of the public rushed to Rebecca's aid before emergency services treated her at the scene.

At hospital, it was confirmed her injuries included broken ribs, skull fractures, a shoulder injury, a dislocated hip, spinal fractures and severe road rash, and when she came around, she said it felt like she was in a “torture chamber”.