Businessman determined to overcome traumatic brain injury and memory loss caused by M1 crash in Northamptonshire

A businessman has spoken of his determination to overcome a traumatic brain injury he suffered when his car was hit by a lorry on the M1 in Northamptonshire.

Edward Ashley-Carter is backing a campaign aimed at raising awareness of the effects brain injuries have on people after the collision near Watford Gap services in 2018.

The 56-year-old father-of-two said: "Before the crash I was very social and active. I enjoyed cycling, keeping fit and gardening.

"I often took part in local triathlons and had completed Mount Ventoux, which is part of the Tour de France route.

“While things have started to get better thanks to the care I’m receiving, I continue to be in a lot of pain and suffer from headaches - even things such as putting on a coat or socks are difficult.

“I’ve always provided for my family and not being able to return to work to the extent I was before the accident is a major worry.

“Now I’m often forgetful and paying attention to detail is now difficult. However, I’m determined to keep focusing on my recovery and regaining more of my life.”

Edward, known as Ed, was driving to his home in Loughborough from a business meeting in London when the crash happened at around 4.30pm on November 15, 2018.

A lorry veered into his lane, crashing into his VW Golf, which was shunted across the motorway into the path of another vehicle.

Ed was airlifted to University Hospital Coventry, where doctors initially believed he may have suffered a stroke but he was diagnosed with a bleed on the brain and a brain injury.

The self-employed design consultant spent two weeks in hospital following the crash, which he has no memory of.

He also suffered paralysis of his right arm and was unable to speak or swallow - through his rehabilitation, Ed has managed to regain some of his speech and can swallow some food.

But the dad of Lucas, 17, and Violet, 13, suffers from severe headaches and right shoulder pain and is at increased risk of developing epilepsy.

“My last recollection was re-joining the M1 and then I remember waking up in A&E with [my wife] Lucie there. I couldn’t get my words out and was very confused," he said.

“As I started to be told what had happened I remember being quite frightened about what the future would hold.

"This became more apparent when I got home and Lucie and the rest of the family had to care for me."

This week is Action for Brain Injury Week - organised by the charity Headway, this year’s campaign is Memory Loss: A Campaign to Remember.

With Ed continuing to make progress in his recovery, he is now supporting the campaign to raise awareness of the impact of his brain injury and memory loss.

Lucie, 50, said: “The last couple of years haven’t been easy but we’re so proud of the progress Ed has made and the determination he shows every day.

“We often have to remind him of how far he’s come. It’s important that people realise that people can still have an injury while not having any physical signs or cuts or bruises.

“We also hope our story acts as a warning for the need for people to take care on the roads.”

Following the incident, Lucie instructed a law firm to help the family but the couple then asked specialist serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to take over their case.

Irwin Mitchell has secured an admission of liability from the lorry driver’s insurers and secured interim payments for Ed.

The funds are paying for a care team which is providing the specialist rehabilitation and support Ed requires while the laywers' has also assisted the family with financial guidance.

David Withers, the specialist serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Ed, said: “Ed suffered an incredibly serious injury in the collision which has had a major impact on not only him but his family.

“While we are pleased to have secured Ed payments to fund his ongoing rehabilitation, and while he has made great progress so far, he still faces major challenges.

“His case is a vivid reminder of how people can continue to be affected by injury long after the physical signs have gone.

“We will continue to support Ed and his family so he can maximise his recovery and look to the future the best he can.”