A DRIVER has taught himself to walk again after suffering a devastating brain injury in a car accident.

Drew Monckton still suffers from short term memory problems following the incident when he lost control of his car and crashed into an embankment.

The 36-year-old, from Horsham, was placed in an induced coma for a month but has managed to battle his way back to health.

The mechanic recently paid a visit to say thank you to the South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) staff who helped save his life.

Mr Monckton was driving on the A24 between Horsham and Dorking last September when the accident happened.

Fortunately, Secamb control room despatcher Kate Nebbett was on her way to work when she spotted his car.

She stopped to help and alerted her ambulance colleagues.

First to arrive on the scene were paramedic Rebekah Vonk and associate practitioner Heidi Gaskin and they were quickly joined by paramedics Julie Marchant and Johnathan Harrold.

Mike Rose and Mark Salmon from the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance also attended.

The crews worked together to provide emergency care to Mr Monckton before he was taken to St George’s Hospital in London.

Mr Monckton’s prognosis was uncertain and it took a few attempts to bring him out of his induced coma.

However, over time, and with hospital treatment and intensive rehabilitation, he was able to return home in six months.

Mr Monckton said: “I’m just so grateful to everyone for everything they did.

“You don’t realise when you are out and about quite how much the NHS does.

“It has been a real eye opener.

“I’m really pleased to have been able to meet everyone face-to-face to say thank you.”

Mr Monckton’s dad, Colin, is a retired police officer, who now works for Secamb as an equipment officer.

He said: “As a former police officer I know how nice it is to have people let you know how thankful they are.

“Everyone, from Kate who initially stopped and helped, to the guys in the control room, from the crews who attended the scene to all the hospital teams – they all did a brilliant job.”

Ms Vonk said: “It’s essential in incidents such as this that everyone works together as a team and that’s exactly what we did.

“We all wish Drew and his family all the very best for the future and for his continued recovery.”