A WITHAM primary school teacher is still trapped in a living nightmare a year to the day after she was struck down in a freak accident.

Joanne Bowser was walking through the Grove Shopping Centre last June when an 82-year-old motorist careered into the pedestrian area before hitting her and crashing into a shop front.

The 22-year-old, who lives at Maltings Lane, received the full impact of the crash on her knee and yesterday, Wednesday – one year on – underwent painful surgery for the third time.

Joanne has tried to resume her teaching career: “I did go back for a little while part-time but it became too much for me.

“The more mobile I tried to get the worse it became until I just thought, I can't do this anymore,” she said.

“I am still angry and haven't dealt with it at all, as it is still going on. I might have to have another operation yet so I can't let it go.

“I have been on crutches and have only been able to go on short journeys without them. My life has literally been put on hold for a year. It's still so real, it's been a nightmare.

“Hopefully this operation will make a big difference. Fingers crossed that this is going to be enough.”

Her mum Caroline, a nurse at Broomfield Hospital, said: “Her leg just keeps giving way and she is in an awful lot of pain.

“She has a lot of cartilage damage and the pins and plates have got to come out because the muscle and soft tissue have been catching on the plates.

“They also think she may have damaged her cruciate ligaments.”

Owners of the Grove Shopping Centre, Charville Estates, said in a statement: “A full health and safety investigation undertaken at the time did not a find requirement for bollards to be installed however we are regularly in discussion with Tesco and the situation will be reviewed at our next health and safety audit which is due shortly.”