A biker who broke her pelvis in a horror crash has thanked the medics who have helped get her home in time for Christmas.

Anthea McCarten, from Minster, was left unable to walk after being knocked off her Triumph Tiger at Cowstead Corner roundabout on Sheppey’s A249 on October 31.

She has since spent nearly five weeks laid up in hospital recuperating.

The 50-year-old said: “I was just about to exit the roundabout and a car from my left pulled out in front of me.

“I went into the car because there was nowhere else for me to go, he actually blocked my exit.”

The therapeutic counsellor was travelling home from Ashford when the accident happened, at 4pm in the Sheerness-bound carriageway.

Police have not brought any charges following the incident.

Anthea was left with a fractured pelvis and sacrum, an area at the base of the spine, and was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital where she stayed for 11 days. It was after this that she was taken to Sheppey Community Hospital.

She said: “It was there that I continued my rehabilitation for three weeks.

“I saw the physiotherapists every day, twice a day and they were really good.

“They were always loving and gentle when keeping on my case with the exercises.”

Anthea gradually got better and went from being bed-ridden to more independent.

She said: “I had to have a bedpan because I was in that much pain.

“I was immobile and bed-ridden for a few weeks but they worked hard on me and got me back on my feet eventually.”

Anthea described the staff at the hospital as being “respectful of her dignity” especially as they had to deal with her personal hygiene needs.

She added: “There was no tutting, huffing, puffing or sighing.

“They never made you feel like you were a nuisance or a burden or anything like that.

“They were always just so kind and caring, a really lovely bunch.”

To show her thanks Anthea returned to the hospital this month with individual gifts for the staff.

She said: “As a thank you I made little present hampers with mugs.

“They had hand cream, a pen, chocolate and a tea or coffee sachet inside.

“Just a little token to say thank you for being so awesome.

“Sheppey Community Hospital really made me feel like a human being who had feelings and emotions.

“Sometimes during my stay there, emotionally and psychologically it was really hard.”

Almost two months after the accident Anthea, using her waking frame, can now get dressed by herself, get in and out of bed, take herself to the bathroom and make a cup of tea.

However she still can’t put any weight on her left side.

Despite her injuries Anthea is still desperate to get back on her bike – but it may not be until spring next year.

She added: “It’s been a real life-changing experience.

“The ambulance crew said that roundabouts are really quite common for accidents and it could have been a whole lot worse.

“Because of that it’s really left quite an impression on me.

“When you’re spending weeks in bed, not being able to do anything, you spend a lot of time reflecting over things and it gives you a new zest for life.

“When I’m fully healed my husband, Paul, and I are going to get out there, live life, travel and have lots of adventures.”