Two people were almost killed when their car struck them at bus stops. But the accident saved their marriage.
Chloe Leer (21), and Liam Padghan (20), from Hastings in East Sussex were sitting at the bus stop as they walked home after a night out. A car came around the corner and mounted the sidewalk and drove into the stop.
Liam, a retailer worker, was hospitalized for a week with injuries. Liam had to go through intense physiotherapy in order to regain his ability to walk. Barista Choloe suffered injuries and cuts after being struck second.
They met in secondary school and had been together for a while.
Chloe Leer (21) and Liam Padghan (22) from Hastings (East Sussex) were sitting in a bus station on their return from a night of drinking. When a vehicle came around the corner and mounted the sidewalk, it drove straight into the stop. Liam was hospitalized for a week, and Chloe stayed in the hospital over night.
The couple were taken to the hospital after the accident scene.
Reconnected high school sweethearts (pictured) had earlier argued in the evening, and their one year relationship was on the rocks just before the accident.
Chloe said: ‘Me and Liam had an argument that night and he’d gone out with friends. The two of us were close to breaking up.
“He convinced me to meet them around 11:30pm. We stayed there for an hour more, and finally decided to go home.
“We stopped at a bus station bench to smoke a cigarette. It took us ten minutes to get there.
“I heard a screeching sound and saw the car turn the corner. The car was moving and the rear end began to wobble so that it faced us.
“I was sitting down, and Liam was standing up to my left. It was too late for me to say “Liam” and stand up before the hit. Liam was hit first, so he sustained serious injuries. He was knocked through the window of the bus stop, and I was left behind.
“He told me that he loved me so much and wanted to marry me before I got married.
“It feels like I was supposed to be there because God knows what might’ve happened.
Liam was a retail worker and suffered the most serious injuries. His driver ran to him, calling the police. Chloe’s injuries were superficial.
After 20 minutes, the first ambulance was there to transport Liam to Conquest Hospital in Hastings. Closely followed by another for Chloe.
Prior to and after the collision: Chloe was sitting with her boyfriend Liam while the car plowed into them
Liam, a retail worker suffered the most severe injuries. The driver raced to his aid and called the police.
The driver (33 years old) was sent a mail requisition in order to be charged with careless driving. He is scheduled to appear at Hastings Magistrates Court next year.
A crowd of people outside the club heard Chloe smashing and ‘hysterical screams’. They rushed to Chloe’s aid as ambulances were still waiting.
Chloe added: “I saw Liam’s legs and it was terrible – his kneecap looked half off of his leg, and his thigh bone had been completely broken.
The couple’s relationship of one year was in turmoil on the night before the crash. But Chloe, a barista, says that their shared trauma experience has made them stronger as a married couple
Chloe, 21, said the difficult recovery and terrifying experience bonded the two of them, leaving her believing she was ‘exactly where she was meant to be’ that night
Chloe described the moment that she saw her boyfriend following the accident: “I saw Liam’s leg, and it was terrible – his kneecap looked half off of his leg and his hip bone was broken.
Liam was hospitalized for the week following the July crash. He could only walk again four weeks later after intense physiotherapy.
“He stared up at the sky, and I believed he would die. Because of adrenaline, I didn’t feel any sensations yet.
I noticed blood on my face, and panicked. But it was not enough pain for me to turn my attention away from Liam.
“There was a club 150 meters away. People heard me screaming, and they ran to it. My head was smashed.
“Two women assisted me as we waited for an ambulance. This felt like the longest day of my entire life.
She claimed that her 21-year-old ribs had been in severe pain the day before and that she was covered in bruises. Before the crash
Chloe was there to care for Liam in his hard recovery. They bond over the trauma and the accident.
After 20 minutes, the first ambulance was ready to transport Liam to Conquest Hospital in Hastings. Chloe’s came next.
Liam broke his left femur in tests, which led him to be rushed for emergency surgery. A metal rod was attached to his hip and placed at his knee.
Chloe suffered only superficial wounds, and was therefore charged with the crime at 6 AM the morning after the accident.
Liam spent the week in hospital. After four weeks of intensive physiotherapy, Liam was able to walk again.
During Liam’s difficult recovery, Chloe cared for him. The pair bonded over the trauma from the accident.
According to the couple, they could not be happier following the accident and that it was a great thing they got together.
According to the 21-year old, his ribs became in pain and I ended up with bruises on my neck. It was an incredible relief to just know that Liam was still alive when I visited him.
The doctor said that he couldn’t stand up due to his bone rubbing so he was forced to pull his leg straight and had it tied at the end.
“I cared for him while he was in recovery and that brought us closer as he saw how much I would do for him. We were there to each other.
“We knew we loved one another, but the crash just made things more clear. We probably would not be here now if it didn’t.”
Liam explained that she didn’t realize the car was there until it was too late. Then, the next thing you know, I was down on the floor. Although I heard Chloe calling my name, I was unable to move.
“The recovery process was difficult, but we both were okay. I just wanted to be there for each other. We couldn’t be happier to have gone through this together.