Rather more than a sore arm

MAJOR DAMAGE: The gruesome injury suffered by Jackie Connell when her arm was trapped under one of the wheels of her car.

Doubtless Bay woman Jackie Connell suffered rather more than the "sore arm" described by police (in that no bones were believed to have been broken) after her left arm was caught under a wheel of her car at Cable Bay earlier this month (Full muster at Cable Bay, March 19, Just sore, March 24).

Mrs Connell said she was concerned that some of the facts were not reported correctly, which, given the severity of her injuries, could affect any future insurance claim.

"It was the most scary, traumatic experience of my life," she said.

"After a lovely day out, with a friend, we thought we would have a look at the beach at Cable Bay following the storms. I parked the car, but as I was getting out it started to roll down the grassy shingle bank. I could not release the seat belt or reach the foot brake; my cardigan was strangling me as it was caught under the wheel and I was dragged down the hill until the car eventually came to a standstill, with my left arm trapped under the back wheel.

"By this time my friend had jumped out and a lovely man came to our rescue. My arm was trapped under the wheel for about 10 minutes. We were screaming for help, as the man could not move the car off my arm on his own.

"I was going in and out of consciousness, and when I was eventually released the man cradled me in his arms, and a lady from the icecream shop brought me blankets to keep me warm until the ambulance came."

She was taken to Kaitaia Hospital where she received three stitches. She had suffered severe bruising, swelling over the whole arm and hand, the wound being treated as third degree burn.

"Miraculously my arm is not broken," she said.

"My fingers are numb and tingly but the doctor says feeling should come back. I was terrified, and thought I was going to die.

"I now I realise I was very lucky."

She was discharged from hospital the following day, and had since received further treatment and changes of dressings at Te Hiku Hauora's clinic at Cooper's Beach (after some delays arising from a lack of the required paperwork - Mrs Connell is not a New Zealand resident, spending only six months of the year at Cable Bay).

On Monday last week, after six days of intense pain and very little sleep, antibiotics and painkillers were prescribed, but that night she called an ambulance when she began suffering intense pain in her back and shoulder, and found herself struggling to breath.

"I was checked over by the crew and told to see a doctor the following morning," she said.

"Dr Gomez saw me again, adjusted the painkillers, and kindly explained that with such severe injury to nerves and muscles I could expect the pain to get worse before it got better, followed by a hug of reassurance.

"The bruising and swelling need to go down, and the burn needs to heal, before she can assess the full extent of the damage done to my body, mind and spirit.

"I feel better knowing I am now under the excellent care of a doctor and district nurse." (She was back at the hospital on Saturday after reacting to a silver dressing, the doctor ordering further X-rays which were to be taken yesterday).

"I know I have had a lucky escape, and I am counting my blessings. Cable Bay is a beautiful place to recuperate. Thank you to those who came to my rescue and for all the lovely get well wishes I have received.