Clarice, 24, was left in a coma for seven weeks after suffering four strokes at the side of the road
A mum was told she’d be a ‘vegetable’ for the rest of her life after dying twice in a horror car crash – only surviving due to a little-known iPhone feature. Clarice Cameron was travelling to a friend’s house on the evening of May 20 near Canterbury, Kent, when she said she was ‘run off the road’ by another motorist driving the wrong way.
The 24-year-old former carer swerved out of the road to avoid the driver when she hit a tree and sustained a number of life-threatening injuries. Detecting she was involved in a crash, Clarice’s iPhone notified emergency services who found her unconscious in her vehicle.
The mum-of-one said she ‘died twice’ on the roadside and suffered four strokes before being rushed to hospital where she was placed into an induced coma for seven weeks. The collision left Clarice with horrific injuries, including a broken neck, leg, arm, ankle, foot, pelvis, crushed ribs, as well as lacerations to her liver, kidney and heart.
Clarice’s family were told her brain damage was ‘devastating’ and that she’d likely remain a ‘vegetable’ for the rest of her life. After her loved ones said their goodbyes, Clarice defied the odds with her recovery – able to talk and walk again with a frame following intense physiotherapy.
After five months in hospital, Clarice was discharged earlier this month but feels ‘heartbroken’ that police are yet to find the other driver involved in the crash. Clarice, who lives in Faversham, Kent, said: “The night I had my accident, I got a phone call from my best friend that her little girl was really poorly.
“My little girl was at home with my mother-in-law and I said I’d come and pick them up and take them to hospital. I used to drive on that road multiple times a day. I was only a few minutes into the journey going over a bridge, which backs onto a blind corner. As I was going over the bridge, I saw headlights coming towards me so so fast.
“They were on my side of the road coming head on. It all happened so quickly. I’ve had to swerve out of the way but it was so close to me before I could swerve. I remember knowing I had crashed and I was in pain. It wasn’t until after that people told me I had hit a tree. All I know is that they didn’t stop.
“My phone detected that I had had a collision and called the emergency services. That rang 999 for me. I remember waking up again and seeing blue lights everywhere. I remember my leg was really hurting. When I pulled it out, it opened the wound and I bled out and died.”
Clarice said she ‘died twice’ which led to her having four strokes and an emergency blood transfusion on the side of the road. Clarice was rushed to hospital where she was admitted into critical care and placed into a two-month coma. Clarice said: “My dad was told to prepare to say goodbye when he arrived at the crash. My parents were told it was touch and go for weeks and to prepare to say their goodbyes.
“I easily could’ve died. When I did come around, I was told I’d never live independently again or look after my little girl. My family was told I’d be institutionalised and basically be a vegetable for the rest of my life.
“After my CT scan, they said my brain damage was devastating. I’m only just able to walk now, but with a frame, and not very far at all. It’s completely changed my life. I’ll never be the same again.”
The mum underwent a tracheostomy and nine surgeries to treat her extensive injuries and has been left with paralysis on her right side. After five months in hospital, Clarice was discharged home but claims police have closed the investigation into her crash due to ‘insufficient evidence’.
Clarice said: “It was absolutely heartbreaking. I didn’t understand how there was no evidence of another driver being there. I can’t just give up on this. My life has done a complete 180. I can’t do the things I used to do with my little girl. I missed my daughter’s first birthday, her first steps, her first proper sentence.
“I think my phone saved my life. I could’ve been lying there for hours if it hadn’t called the police. I want to ask the driver how they can sleep at night? My little girl went six months without a mum. It’s been a living hell. I wouldn’t wish this on anybody.”
Police Sergeant Chris Wade of Kent Police said: “Our patrols were called to a serious collision in Sandpit Hill, Chislet, at 10:55pm on Tuesday 20 May 2025. A white VW Golf was travelling from Upstreet towards Chislet, when it left the road on the offside of the carriageway, partly entered a ditch and struck a tree. Emergency services attended the scene and the driver, a woman in her 20s, was taken to hospital for treatment to serious injuries.
“Our Serious Collision Investigation Unit completed comprehensive enquiries into the incident including a including a forensic examination at the scene. An appeal for witnesses, dashcam and CCTV footage was also issued. Nobody was arrested in connection with the investigation and no evidence was gained that identified any other vehicles involved in the collision. The investigation has now concluded but any new information received by Kent Police will be reviewed.”
