A CAR crash victim has left doctors stunned after making a miracle recovery.

Medics only kept Sam Hemming on life support in order for her family to say their goodbyes.

But now the 22-year-old is back home in Herefordshire talking to her relatives who were told to fear the worst.

Sam was involved in the horrific car crash in July on the M6 when she was a passenger in a car which flipped over the central reservation.

The Hereford resident was airlifted to hospital and underwent six hours of surgery before being in an induced coma for 19 days. She was then unresponsive.

Doctors told her parents it would be unlikely she would walk or talk again, if she survived, after part of her brain was damaged.

But part of her brain, which most people do not normally use, has now developed which has aided her recovery to return home to Credenhill to be with her parents, Carol and Jason.

Carol said: "A doctor told me that Sam does have brain damage and is going to need care but that she shouldn't be talking and she shouldn't be able to take the steps she has as that part of her brain is dead.

"Why her condition is different to other people is that the part of the brain which most people don't use – her's has developed into speech and movement. That is why all the neurosurgeons were getting so excited as it is very rarely seen."

Everything changed for the better during the last 10 days in hospital when Sam was able to feed herself, take a few steps, have a shower and make a cup of tea.

Carol added: "Because of the steps she has taken, she is a walking miracle.

"Doctors are totally in shock. You see the specialised surgeons, paramedics and police and they look at Sammy and you see their mouths fall open.

"We have since been told that the hospital staff were keeping Sammy alive so her family could come and say goodbye to her."

Sam graduated from Bangor University with a BA in law and was returning home to Hereford when the crash took place.

She was anaesthetised at the scene and had to endure further surgery including metal plates being put in her arm and skin grafts.

Carol added: "The paramedic who was at the scene and stayed with her right from the beginning, he said to me, she's not supposed to be alive."

Sam has got post traumatic stress disorder and she gets confused and has memory loss; she will need rehab and physiotherapy.

But surgeons will keep working with her to improve her brain function where possible.

Sam was heavily involved in the university judo club and was ranked 11th in the UK in her category. Doctors have said her high level of fitness has helped her recover.

Sam said: "Do sport because one day it may help save your life."

She also thanked the people who stopped to help her at the scene of the crash and all of the medical staff.

Sam said: "I thank them all so much. They are all amazing."

Carol and Jason have three other children: Tim, 24, Callum, 15 and Nikkita, 14.

Speaking about Sam's recovery, Carol said: "It feels amazing. I keep getting goosebumps. I have to pinch myself to realise it is happening."

A fund has been started to aid Sam's rehabilitation. To donate, visit gofundme.com/2uvxye7w.