Woman told partner 'I'm sorry you're going to see me die' after head-on crash

23 August 2023 , 06:55

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Innes Watson, 38, watched as partner Sarah Archer, 35, was hit head on by a camper van (Image: Daily Record WS)

A woman told her partner "I'm really sorry that you're going to see me die" in the moments after a terrifying road crash.

Sarah Archer was driving to her home in Dornie in the Highlands on July 30 when she was hit head-on by a camper van travelling at 60mph on the A890.

The hotel manager, 35, had collected her car after its MOT and partner Innes Watson 38, was following in his vehicle behind her. He watched as the horrifying incident unfolded - not initially realising Sarah was involved.

Innes pulled over and raced to help victims at the scene, then quickly recognised Sarah's wrecked car. The bonnet from her blue Vauxhall was smashed into her windscreen from the impact as debris from both cars lay scattered across the road.

The scene of the crash

Innes told the Daily Record: "I couldn't quite see what was happening when I first pulled up. There were a lot of people there and someone had called the emergency services. But then I realised one of the car's was Sarah's.

Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him

"I could see how bad the wreckage was and my first thought was that she might be dead. Then I saw her lying on the ground. She was in a bad way and she was screaming, but I only felt relief because I knew she was alive.

"I stayed by her side, but I kept her looking at her injuries. Time just to seemed to stand still while we waited for help to arrive. Then at one point Sarah said: 'I'm really sorry that you're going to see me die'. It was a hellish experience."

Sarah underwent emergency 10-hour surgery (Daily Record WS)

Medics have warned Sarah she will have long-term mobility issues

Sarah was airlifted to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness and underwent emergency 10-hour surgery to repair a broken right foot, shattered knee caps, broken ribs, two broken wrists and multiple fingers. Recalling the aftermath of the crash she said: "I came to and looked at my hands. They were completely mangled. But I could hear hissing coming from the car so I somehow managed to undo my seatbelt and get out. As soon as I stood up, I felt my knees break. I just collapsed to the ground. Then all I could feel was pain."

Medics have warned Sarah she will have long-term mobility issues and that she may never regain full use of her hands. She continued: "My right leg is still in a brace for now. My wrists were manipulated during surgery but I've been told I may have to get them fused which means I won't be able to use my hands and won't be able to write. It's life-changing and the doctors told me it's a miracle I survived."

Innes feared Sarah had died (Daily Record WS)

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We received a report of a crash involving a van and a car on the A890 near Auchtertyre around 2.30pm on Sunday, 30 July. Two people were taken to hospital for treatment. A 36-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a road traffic offence. He is due to appear at Inverness Sheriff Court at a later date.”

A fundraiser has been set up to help Sarah financially.

Gemma Ryder