‘OVER the moon’. That’s the sentiment from an aspiring nurse able to spend Christmas at home after a major fairground accident.

Chloe Austin broke multiple bones and suffered organ damage in an incident involving a fairground ride at the Barrow Island festival Fudstock on August 28.

The 21-year-old, who works as an assistant practitioner at Risedale Care Home in Barrow, was transferred to Royal Preston Hospital in a critical condition following the accident, where she remained until the end of November.

The nursing student suffered two gashes to the head, a broken nose, two broken collar bones, a broken left elbow, three broken ribs, a shattered pelvis, a leg fracture as well as organ damage to her bladder, bowel, spleen, and liver.

After three weeks in a coma and numerous operations, Chloe feels ‘lucky to be alive’ and is determined on ‘smashing’ her recovery.

She said: “I was told several times in hospital that I was lucky to be alive,” she said.

“I was obviously asleep through the critical stages of recovery so my family went through the worst of it.

“My heart aches for what my family had to go through.”

After three months in hospital, Chloe was delivered the long-anticipated news that she could return home to Barrow in time for Christmas.

She said: “The goal was always being able to come home for Christmas.

“I always wanted to be able to come home for my 21st on December 19 and Christmas so the fact I’ve been able to do that is amazing.

“I’ve smashed my recovery and been able to come home a month earlier than planned which I don’t think was expected.

“A Christmas in hospital just wouldn’t have been the same – it’s not home.

“I’m so happy I was able to come home in time for Christmas. It means so much for me and my family.”

Chloe has also praised the outpouring of community support as well as the ‘incredible’ care given to her at Royal Preston Hospital.

Chloe is hoping to return to work next year and resume her adult nursing degree in September.

A joint investigation into the fairground accident between HSE and Cumbria police is ongoing.