A WOMAN who almost lost her leg in a freak accident has praised the actions of a vet and and off-duty paramedic who helped saved her her life, too.

Wendy Knowles’s left knee was shattered and the skin torn from her leg in a horrific accident outside Riverside Veterinary Surgery, at the junction of Downer Road and London Road, Benfleet.

A Ford Fiesta ran into the back of a Fiat Punto, which then hit a silver Peugeot 206, sending it into the surgery’s car park, just as Wendy was leaving.

A quick-thinking vet at the practice grabbed medical supplies from his surgery and managed to stem the flow of the blood.

He was helped by passer-by Steve Colmer, an off-duty paramedic, who stopped to help.

Wendy, 28, who lives in Rayleigh, is still being treated at the St Andrew’s Unit at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford.

She said: “I have huge appreciation for so many people who have helped me – the hospital staff at Basildon and Broomfield, the vet, the paramedic and all the emergency services.”

Wendy’s partner, Toby Mountain, 38, said: “The feeling at the hospital was if she hadn’t had that emergency aid this could have been a fatal incident. It was a freak accident.”

Wendy was given a 50 per cent chance of losing her leg after the crash on June 10, which closed part of Bread and Cheese Hill for three hours.

After six operations, her leg has been saved, although she still faces a long road to recovery.

A metal frame has been put around her knee to stop any movement and she must wear it for three months.

It is then likely to be another four or five weeks before she can return home to Rayleigh.

Wendy’s dad, Derek Knowles, 65, who lives in Solihull, Birmingham, said: “It all happened in a split second.

“She was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but having the vet and the paramedic there saved her life. We are so grateful to them.”

Wendy, who is a regular blood donor, had several transfusions while in hospital.

Toby said: “If there’s something positive which can come out of this it might be to encourage people to give blood.

“You never know when you might need it.”

Paying tribute to Wendy, his partner of two years, he added: “She’s the strongest, most determined person I know.

“I find the way she is dealing with it quite inspirational.”

Police are still investigating the accident, at 12.15pm on June 10. Witnesses and anyone else with information is asked to call 0300 3334444.