A DAUGHTER has been recalling the ‘nightmare’ day a tree fell on her mum leaving her with a catalogue of horrific injuries.
Brave mum-of-two Kathryn Griffiths is now on the mend but is still being treated in hospital after the incident at a Winwick car boot sale on Townfield Lane on April 14.
Daughter Kate Albertina, who was with her mum at the time, said the whole family feel lucky the 55-year-old grandma survived the ordeal after suffering a number of broken ribs, lacerated lungs, two smashed vertebraes, a broken arm and a cracked pelvis.
Kate, aged 29, said: “It was a windy morning but you never would have thought it was windy enough to knock a tree down.
“It all happened so quickly.
“A bloke came running over saying ‘One’s going to come down’ then there was a big gust and everything flew off the table.
“Me and my mum both leaned forward to hold everything down and then as I turned my head a tree had come down and landed on top of my mum.
“I saw her lying unconscious with her eyes open and her arm sticking out and I thought she was dead.”
The family believe it took eight people to lift the estimated 20ft tree before Kathryn was taken to hospital and her husband of 20 years Peter, aged 64, was called to meet them at Wythenshawe Hospital.
They were told the next three days would be critical and as Kathryn could not breathe properly she would have to be sedated.
Fortunately after a three hour operation and transfers to Salford and Warrington Hospital, Kathryn cannot remember anything from the day but still does not know when she will be able to go home.
Husband Peter said: “I love the bones of her and she’s my life so I’ve been by her side as many hours as I can.
“It’s nice now to have her closer to home.”
The Warrington Guardian received a number of messages from well-wishers who were concerned about Kathryn, from Brookvale, Runcorn after the incident and the family want to thank everybody who helped them on the day.
Kate added: “It’s amazing to think we were thinking about a funeral because the situation was that bad.
“Now six weeks later my mum is sat up in bed and speaking to you.”
The family would like to get in touch with anyone who saw the incident. Any witnesses can e-mail their contact details to hannah.bargery@guardiangrp.co.uk to be forwarded on to the family