Plane crash survivor's tale of courage

HOBART, Tasmania - When Melissa Holland was pulled from a plane wreckage on Tasmania's King Island six years ago, doctors gave her little chance of survival.

The trained nurse had sustained brain damage, shattered vertebrae and severe elbow and ankle injuries.

Three of her colleagues from Victoria's Rosebud Hospital died in the crash, blamed on a gust of wind soon after take-off.

Medical staff said at best Ms Holland would have to live in a nursing home with full-time care.

Today, the 31-year-old is on track to re-entering her profession.

After six long years of rehabilitation, Ms Holland lives by herself at Sorrento on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula. She has even learnt to drive a car again.

"Sometimes people call me a miracle, but I just don't think I'm a miracle. I just think I'm just a person trying to make the best out of what I can, because I think lots of people would do what I have done," she told Australian Story.

"I would go through occasional bouts of depression and ... I'd think 'Why me? Why me?'.

"But then now I think, it happened to me for a reason and that reason is for me to become a better person, because I really believe in myself as a human being."

With no compensation or insurance payout despite a long legal wrangle, Ms Holland mows lawns to make ends meet.

"I'm on the pension and it's a real struggle because the pension is pathetic ... I'm a really good one-handed lawn mower."

It's this optimism and determination that neurologist Stephen de Graaff believes are the key to Ms Holland's recovery.

"The major reason Melissa is where she is now is Melissa," he said.

In an emotional moment, Ms Holland recently crossed the Bass Strait to be reunited with the people who saved her life.

"Allan (Robins), the manager at the airport, he showed me some photos and I thought 'my goodness, my goodness, I was involved in that accident'. I cannot get over it," she said.

"I feel that lots of things have been put to rest now ... importantly though, I feel proud of myself for coming here ... I feel content inside."

- AAP