THE CARNIVAL Queen of 2005 is making a swift recovery following being involved in an accident before Christmas. Alice Walker, 18, who was crowned Carnival Queen at the Saffron Walden Carnival last year, is on her way to a full recovery after a serious roa

THE CARNIVAL Queen of 2005 is making a swift recovery following being involved in an accident before Christmas.

Alice Walker, 18, who was crowned Carnival Queen at the Saffron Walden Carnival last year, is on her way to a full recovery after a serious road crash on December 23.

The accident happened at about 4pm, on the B1052 in Hadstock. Alice was a passenger in the front of her boyfriend's red Peugeot, with another passenger in the back seat.

They rounded a bend just as an articulated lorry coming the other way pulled onto their side of the road to pass a parked van, leaving the Peugeot nowhere to go.

The car and the lorry collided, severely damaging the Peugeot.

Although Alice's boyfriend and the other passenger only suffered minor injuries and were able to get out of the vehicle, Alice was trapped in the wreckage.

Her father, Brien Walker, said: "Cambridge police were first on the scene and they were fantastic. Alice was knocked unconscious by the impact and had to be cut out of the car."

Alice was taken by ambulance to the Critical Care Unit at Addenbrooke's Hospital where she was put on a life support machine. She had suffered a fractured arm and broken both of her hands, as well as receiving bruises and abrasions to her face.

Mr Walker said: "Considering the condition of the car and the severity of the impact, she received very light physical injuries."

Alice regained consciousness on Christmas Eve but was suffering from temporary memory loss and remained in hospital until New Year's Eve.

Upon returning home, Alice enjoyed a Christmas meal with her family, who had put their celebrations on hold until she was released from hospital.

Although Alice is still suffering as a result of the crash, her father is sure that she is on the way to a full recovery, and has expressed his appreciation for all of the messages of support that people have given.

He said: "It's so nice, the way that people have responded. It reminds you of how many good people there are in the world."

Alice is hoping to go to the University of East Anglia in Norwich after taking a gap year.