A GRANDMOTHER whose devoted husband refused to give up on her after a car crash has received £1.4 million.

June Ward, 57, was left in a persistent vegetative state after the crash in 1992 left her with catastrophic injuries.

But thanks to the care of her husband Frederic, 70, and their two daughters she is now conscious of the world around her and responds to her family.

AHigh Court judge yesterday also awarded Mr Ward £203,290 in recognition of his years of past care and expense.

The court heard that even seasoned neurological experts had been amazed by the extent of Mrs Ward's recovery.

Jean Ritchie QC said that despite Mrs Ward's "grim diagnosis" she was released from hospital 15 months after the crash because her husband wanted her back home.

She said that Mr Ward and other members of the family had cared for her at the home the couple share in Angmering Lane, East Preston, near Littlehampton.

She told Mr Justice Alliott: "It is a tribute to him that this care has been most successful.

"She is able to show that she can be happy or sad. One of the things that gives her pleasure is the presence of her grandchildren who come to the house."

Miss Ritchie said Mrs Ward also enjoyed the summer when she could watch her grandchildren playing around the swimming pool.

But she added: "Sad things on the television also make her sad."

One of her main pleasures, the court heard, was going on trips to the seaside and going to McDonalds.

Mrs Ward was injured in a head-on crash on the A281 at Cowfold, near Horsham.

The car she was driving was in collision with a car driven by Elizabeth Hutchins of Davitts Drive, Littlehampton.

Miss Ritchie said: "For some reason it drove across the road straight into the path of Mrs Ward."

Mr Ward sued Ms Hutchins on his wife's behalf and her motor insurers yesterday agreed a £1,415,290 settlement plus legal costs.

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