THE family of a woman who was left fighting for her life after a horrific accident has spoken of her "astounding" recovery.

Samantha Mudd, 21, was driving along the B1035 Clacton Road towards Mistley, when her Ford Fiesta car hit a tree on April 16.

She was taken to Colchester General Hospital and then transferred to Queen's Hospital, Romford.

Samantha was seriously injured in the accident and was initially treated in the intensive care unit.

Her parents, John and Sue, have been by her bedside daily.

Mr Mudd said Samantha had astounded the doctors with her recovery.

Mr Mudd, of Alexandra Road, Harwich, said: "She has surprised everyone with the way she has come on. She is going very well.

"She has come out of the life support unit and is on the high dependency ward now."

He added: "Wednesday and Thursday last week were pretty grim but she is coming on leaps and bounds."

Samantha, who lives in Little Oakley, suffered a fractured skull in the accident, which happened while she was driving to Manningtree station where she catches the train to her job as trainee accountant.

Mr Mudd said: "She did have a suspected broken neck but thankfully it was only bruised.

"She has no memory of the crash, but she is conscious now and chatting away.

"She has astounded the doctors. We are hoping she will make a full recovery."

Mr Mudd, 47, who is a harbour launch coxwain with Harwich Haven Authority, paid tribute to the support the family had received during their ordeal.