Paralysed after ‘friend’ threw her from bridge
Woman’s struggle to rebuild life – as youth walked free
AWOMAN left paralysed after being hurled 25ft off a bridge by a ‘jealous’ friend says it has made her a better person.
Emily Holliday, now aged 20, suffered horrific injuries while walking home with a 17-year-old youth.
The ‘friend’ threw her off a canal bridge in Solihull after accusing her of cheating on her then boyfriend.
Ms Holliday was rushed to hospital, where she was given the devastating news that she had severed her spinal cord and would never walk again.
The teenager responsible was arrested and admitted a charge of wounding at Birmingham Crown Court in April 2019.
He was sentenced to a two-year youth rehabilitation order – avoiding any time behind bars.
Ms Holliday, speaking for the first time about the incident, said: “I remember the moment he picked me up and threw me over. It’s clear as day – I remember falling and hearing a massive ‘crack’ when I landed on the embankment.
“I couldn’t feel anything, I could only move my arms, and I knew it wasn’t good. I woke up in hospital and doctors told me: ‘You’ll never walk again.’
“It was utterly heartbreaking to hear. Despite everything, I feel so lucky to be here – I was given a second chance at life.”
I lost everything I had – I don’t have a social life anymore
Emily Holliday
She added: “I think he was a bit obsessed with me – but I didn’t feel that way towards him.
“He was being really aggressive towards me and saying nasty things, but I just tried to ignore him.”
Ms Holliday was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Edgbaston, where it was found she had broken her spinal cord, the vertebrae T3 to T6, four ribs, her breastbone and punctured her lung.
She spent eight weeks on flatbed rest before she was allowed to sit up.
Altogether, she spent five-and-a-half months in hospital before she was able to go home.
“It was a lot to get my head around, but I had amazing support from my family – they were my rock,” she explained.
“I also met some incredible people on the ward who were going through the same thing as me.”
Ms Holliday continued: “I have
had to completely adjust my life and learn to do everything again. I lost everything I had – I don’t have a social life anymore.
“I will always remain strong, and I’ve worked so hard to get to where I am today. I feel like a better person – as I appreciate the little things more now. I’m so proud of myself and I will always be grateful to still be here.”