A MOTORCYCLIST who may never be able to walk unaided again after a hit-and-run has bravely spoken out about her ordeal.

Lucy Sturgess is set to undergo a third operation on Thursday which will determine whether she will need pins or metal plates in her foot which was seriously damaged in a crash.

The 18-year-old was riding her motorbike at about 5pm on March 28 when she was involved in the smash with a car in Magnolia Drive, Greenstead.

After she was airlifted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Lucy underwent surgery to irrigate her wounds, which included an open fracture and severe damage to her foot and ankle.

Lucy, who lives in Colchester, said: “The crash left me with shards of metal and paint in my foot which surgeons removed during the first operation I had.”

Victim - Lucy before the accident

Victim - Lucy before the accident

Lucy then had skin graft surgery and doctors will find out on Thursday if the skin taken from her thigh and attached to her foot has taken or not.

“I am suffering mentally too,” Lucy added.

“Since my accident I cannot sleep, I keep getting nose bleeds, and my brain feels like it just stops working at times.

“I have also developed a stutter, so I am going to see a neurologist.”

There is a chance Lucy will not be able to walk unaided again due to the severity of her injuries.

She said: “I still have no feeling in my left foot.

Hospital - Lucy in her hospital bed with her injuries

Hospital - Lucy in her hospital bed with her injuries

“There is a likelihood I will be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life, or have to use crutches.

“I have been told it is quite likely I won’t be able to walk unaided again.”

Lucy will not be released from Addenbrooke’s until the doctors are satisfied by her surgeries - which could take weeks or months.

She admitted she feels lonely being so far from home in a hospital bed.

“I just need to focus on my recovery as that is what is important,” she added.

A 20-year-old man, from Leighton Buzzard, was arrested in the aftermath.

He was being held on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of a collision, failing to report a collision, and driving without a licence and without insurance. He has since been released under investigation.