City Hospital delighted to send rehab patient home for Christmas after 5 months in rehab following a life-changing accident. | Latest news

• Update to Sonia Meakin's rehab story
• She returns home 5 months after tragic accident
• NUH is delighted she will be home for Christmas

Today a mother, grandmother and midwife at Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC) is returning home in time for Christmas, thanks to the team who have supported her rehabilitation journey after her life changed forever in a freak car accident.  

Sonia Meakin, from Spondon, and her husband, Mark, were driving on the M1 motorway to meet friends for dinner when Mark suffered a heart attack and suddenly passed out at the wheel.  

From the passenger seat, Sonia managed to steer the car off the M1 carriageway and down the next slip road but couldn’t stop as Mark’s foot was on the accelerator and they crashed.  

Sadly, Mark died at the scene from his heart attack, and Sonia sustained extensive injuries, resulting in two weeks in a coma and 19 surgeries. She then commenced the long rehabilitation journey at Linden Lodge on the Nottingham City Hospital site.  

Sonia’s determination has now paid off and after five months of hard work, she is now able to go home today, in time for Christmas.  

Javvad Haider, NUH’s Head of Service at Linden Lodge, said:  

“Sonia’s story is one of resilience and hope — and we are honoured to have walked this part of the journey with her. 

“We are incredibly proud of everything Sonia has achieved during her time with us. She has exceeded all our expectations and has been a true source of inspiration to the entire team at Linden Lodge.  

“Her determination, optimism and kindness have touched every member of staff, and we feel privileged to have been part of her rehabilitation journey so far. 

“Although there is still work to do, Sonia now leaves us stronger, more confident, and ready for the next stage of her recovery. She deserves the fullest life possible, and we are committed to supporting her as she continues to progress.” 

Sonia is hoping to attend the opening of the National Rehabilitation Centre in the new year to help with welcoming other patients to the new facility.   

Sonia recently shared the story of what happened on the day of her accident on 11 July.  

Sonia said: “I looked across at Mark, and he had slumped over, his eyes were shut, and the car was out of control with his foot like a dead weight on the accelerator.  

“We were on a busy motorway on a Friday evening, and I was trying to steer from the passenger seat.” 

As Sonia steered them off the next slip road, she couldn’t stop and was approaching the traffic lights and waiting cars.  

She recalled: “Mark was still unresponsive, but I said to him ‘I think we are going to die. I love you.’ 

“I then spoke to my mum, who died 17 years ago, and pleaded with her to please let one of us survive so we can see the kids and the grandkids again. And then it went black.” 

When Sonia woke up, she was being cut out of the car wreckage by emergency Fire and Rescue crews. She had sustained multiple injuries. 

Sonia said: “I turned to my right and could see someone on the floor, and I felt sure it was Mark.  

“I overheard voices saying, ‘We’ve been working on him for 45 minutes and there’s nothing’, and I knew it was Mark.” 

Sonia was taken to QMC and wasn’t aware of how critical her injuries had been until she woke up from a coma in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) two weeks later.  

The doctor who was in the emergency department (ED) that night came to visit her when she was conscious again and told her he couldn’t believe she was still here.  

Sonia recalled: “He told me my injuries were so extensive. He said I was critical, but they knew what they had to do.” 

“It’s thanks to these guys that I am still here, and I am going to make sure I live my life and make Mark proud.” 

Sonia has been in hospital under the care of Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) since 11 July and has undergone 19 surgeries.  

She said: “I have been stitched back together like a rag doll!” 

Sonia is so grateful for the care she has received, not only at City Hospital but also in QMC where she pays particular thanks to ward C30 who organised for her husband, Mark’s funeral to be transmitted live to her hospital bed.  

Her return home is bittersweet, and she acknowledged how hard it will be to finally go home. She said: “I left our home on that day a happily married woman and when I return, I will be a widow. But I have the support of my family and together we have new memories to make.”