A British tourist has been left ‘scarred for life’ with horrific facial injuries after a speeding car crashed into her quad bike while on holiday in Greece.
Holly Thomas, 21, from Pontypool in South Wales, had flown from Bristol Airport to the Greek island of Zakynthos on June 5 with her family, who have now issued an urgent safety warning after the ‘traumatic’ journey.
The group of four had arrived at their all-inclusive hotel on the island paradise for a week in the sun before renting two €125 quad bikes through an external company so they could explore the island.
But on the return journey from the Blue Caves on day three of their holiday, Holly claims a car crashed into the back of her quad bike at 50mph, sending her flying through the air before landing on her face.
Recalling the horror incident, Holly said: ‘I literally saw the car drive into the back of us and then I closed my eyes as I went into the air.
Holly Thomas, 21, from Pontypool in South Wales, had rented a quad bike with her family during a holiday to Zakynthos, Greece
Following the horror smash, Holly was left with serious wounds and bruises to her face, which her mother claims will leave her ‘permanently scarred’.
Holly claims a speeding car hit her quad bike at 50mph, sending her flying into the air and landing on her face
‘First I felt a scratch on my face. I didn’t feel any pain at first because I think I was in shock.
“I know it seems morbid, but as I lay on the ground after scraping my face, I waited for a car to run me over. I thought this was the end of my life.”
Harrowing images after the incident show Holly’s face covered in cuts and bruises, and a large ‘blood pool’ was visible on the back of her right leg as a result of the impact of the crash.
After the impact, the injured holidaymaker was rushed to hospital, where she underwent a brain scan and received a stitch in her head.
This left her trip in shambles, as she was forced to spend the rest of her holiday in her hotel room recovering, before returning to Britain on 12 June.
Holly is now recovering at home but has been told by doctors that some of her injuries may take months to heal.
‘I don’t sleep well. It keeps playing through my head over and over again. “It’s more of a shock than anything and it will affect me further down the line,” she said.
Holly revealed that this was the first time she had ever ridden a quad bike, and that she will never ride a quad bike again after the devastating accident.
Her mother Alison Wilson also warned other British holidaymakers, advising them to ‘think twice before renting a quad bike’ abroad and make sure they wear a helmet if they do – and claims Holly will be permanently scarred from her injuries.
Pictured: the £125 quad bike Holly had used to explore the island before the horror strike on the third day of her holiday
Images of Holly’s injuries show a ‘blood pool’ on the back of her right leg caused by the impact of the crash
Holly’s mother Alison Wilson, 52, pictured left, has issued a warning to British holidaymakers, urging them to wear helmets when riding quad bikes
Doctors have told Holly that her injuries could take months to heal
Alison was riding another quad bike with her daughter’s father, David Thomas, 53, behind and said she saw the crash happen.
The heartbroken mum said: ‘A car overtook us and they were going really fast so it made me quite nervous anyway.
‘They then overtook Holly but then there was oncoming traffic on the other side of the road and they realized they couldn’t make it so they reversed and hit Holly’s quad bike.
‘Holly’s quad bike went completely off the road. I panicked at first and then ran to her.
“Holly will have 100 percent scarring where she suffered her head and body injuries.”
Alison stressed the importance of helmets and said it saved her daughter’s life, but revealed she now regrets renting out the quad bikes.
‘I wish we had never rented the quads after what happened. “I didn’t feel safe there anyway,” she said.
“I feel like they’re just given to anyone as long as you have a permit.
“They don’t have the same health and safety that we have here. It’s too easy to get one. More checks need to take place before you can rent one.
‘They don’t drive on the roads in the same way as we do in Britain, and it’s quite fast there. It’s completely different.’