A chimney fell off a roof and hit a mum in the face as she walked along a busy road in a freak accident which left her in a five-day coma.
Annabel Arger suffered horrendous injuries when bricks from the unsteady structure flew from a roof after she enjoyed an Italian meal with her family.
The 44-year-old was rushed to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary where she was placed in an induced coma for five days.
The former Evri driver, of Sunderland, suffered four bleeds on her brain, a broken temple and bruising down her left shoulder and arm after the bizarre incident on Ocean Road, South Shields.
She has also been left with two fragments of bricks lodged in her skull, but apart from this, she has made a remarkable recovery.
Annabel said: "You wouldn't know what happened looking at me, I don't have any marks.
"I have some brick left in my head but you can't tell. I don't know how I have no scars.
"I was in a coma for five days and even flatlined while I was out. I was released from hospital after a month.
"I had staples in my head and bruises down my left side.
"I'm lucky to be alive."
Shocking pictures show Annabel wearing a head brace with bruising on her right eye after she was released from hospital.
Annabel had eaten in a local Italian restaurant in April last year before suffering the horrifying ordeal.
A lawyer is currently working on Annabel's behalf to establish who is responsible for the upkeep of the chimney.
Emergency services attended the scene and closed the road for four hours.
Annabel added: "I don't remember anything, I don't even remember paying the bill.
"When I woke up, my mother was next to me in hospital and told me I had been asleep for five days after being hit by a chimney.
"I was terrified and confused. I didn't understand what happened."I haven't been shopping or been out for a meal since it happened.
"Physically I have recovered, but there are other scars.
"I have pushed my friends and family away and mainly spend all of my time inside.
"It has destroyed my mental health.
"It was such a scary experience. The whole thing is bizarre but this could happen to anyone.
Most read:
- Sugar Hill School in Newton Aycliffe to be demolished and rebuilt
- The Gibraltar Rock, Tynemouth closing as owners blame costs
- The Hub Consett opens its doors on Sherburn Terrace
Get the latest news, sports, and entertainment delivered straight to your device, for just £2 for 2 months click here
"I've made a recovery but I still get pain in my neck and I can't walk as well as I used to."
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "At 4.20pm on Saturday we were alerted by the ambulance service to a report of concern for the welfare of a woman on Ocean Road in South Shields.
"Emergency services attended and found a woman who had suffered a serious head injury after a chimney had fallen from a property."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here