A WORCESTER woman who is on the road to recovery after breaking her neck has expressed her gratitude to the emergency services.

Deborah Meier, of Lowesmoor, fell down stairs in her first floor flat. The paramedics had to call for assistance from firefighters as they were unable to move her out of the flat on a spine-board because the stairs were too steep and winding.

A fire crew from Worcester used a turntable ladder to reach the 45-year-old shop worker and help paramedics get her out of a fire escape.

Following her rescue, on Friday, October 8, she was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital before being transferred to Birmingham's Northfield Hospital where surgeons removed a piece of bone from her hip and placed it in her neck.

She was released from hospital on Saturday, October 16.

"I really can't thank them enough," said Mrs Meier, who still suffers some paralysis in her arms but is expected to recover.

"They were absolutely brilliant. The paramedics actually came up to the hospital to see if I was all right.

"When I'm better I would like to thank them personally."