Tough as they come Woman, 81, undergoes surgery after horror ordeal
EIGHTY-ONE year old Kitty Breeden is a battler but today will need all her strength to recover from a serious ankle injury after she was trapped in her overturned car for seven hours.
Last night Kitty was still in surgery at the Gold Coast University Hospital as doctors worked to mend the fracture that left bone sticking out through broken flesh after Thursday’s accident at her home in semi-rural Amulla Court, Mudgeeraba.
Ms Breeden hung suspended in the car, trapped by her seatbelt after the sedan rolled down a steep driveway, careered across a yard and about 15 metres down a heavily timbered embankment at the back of the home, coming to rest on the passenger’s side and up against a tree.
As she hung in the driver’s seat, in pain but conscious, she kept sounding the vehicle’s horn and screaming for help, but none came.
The accident happened about midday but it was dark by the time she was found by her son, a paramedic who had returned home and con- cerned about his mother’s whereabouts began searching. His wife had reportedly heard a horn beeping throughout the day but had no idea it was her mother-inlaw in trouble.
Rescuers cut the vehicle’s roof off to be able to get in and help the distressed woman, who stayed conscious throughout her ordeal.
Neighbour Brett Bolwell said he arrived home Thursday night to find two fire engines, three ambulances and two police cars in his street.
Mr Bolwell said he felt for his neighbour, who he described as a strong woman.
“She’s a tough old bird – she is really stoic,” he said.
“I’m sure she’ll pull through OK.”
Last night her family were with her at the hospital and described her condition as stable.