Brighton police officer shares story of recovery and reunion after life-threatening crash in Worthing

Mark Ridley, 33, was on the A27 on Titnore Lane when his vehicle left the road, leaving him with serious injuries in September 2014.

Mr Ridley said: “I had 19 major breaks and fractures; seven of those were in my neck and spine, my left lung was punctured, and I had 11 bleeds in my brain.

“I can remember leaving my home and travelling towards the A27, but after that I remember absolutely nothing.”

His 12-year career in the army came to an end due to these complex injuries.

He said: “The collision left me pretty much for dead.”

Mr Ridley began on the road to recovery but admits it was difficult and he even ended up homeless.

After lots of operations and rehabilitation, he’s has been left with a brain injury and is partially paralysed.

However, since the crash Mr Ridley has been volunteering with charities that helped him, got to international level for disabled football, and joined Sussex Police in November 2020 as a police community support officer (PCSO).

He said: “The officers who attended the scene potentially saved my life, so when the opportunity came to join the police, I thought ‘this is my opportunity to say thank you’.

“All I knew was that I wanted to get back into uniform. I couldn’t thank the person who helped me, so wearing the uniform and assisting people would be my ‘thank you’.”

When Mr Ridley met Chief Constable Jo Shiner she was able to put him in touch with the officer who helped in the crash aftermath - PC Steve Taylor.

PC Taylor said: “So I was completely humbled that somebody had been influenced so much by us that they would want to join the police.

“I’ve heard about all the charity work that Mark has done and all the people he looks after and am amazed by it.”

Both men reunited in a meeting with CC Shiner.

She said: “I cannot think of a better story.

“The reason we all join the police is for public service, so to hear that Mark also joined the force as a PCSO in order to say his ‘thank you’ is both incredible and hugely humbling.”

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