By Ed Chatterton and Bethany Gwilliam
A mom is “lucky to be alive” after miraculously surviving a 30ft (10m) fall from a cliff while out walking with a friend.
Keen hiker Suzanne Dyer, 50, plunged down a waterfall after she slipped from a path in the Brecon Beacons, in Wales.
She suffered a number of serious injuries to her arms, ribs, pelvis and legs – but incredibly survived the fall to the gorge below.
The mom-of-one was airlifted from the popular Four Waterfalls beauty spot to Cardiff Heath Hospital.
Suzanne, a gardener from Hereford, has been receiving treatment for her injuries and is now on the road to recovery.
Lindsay Bruce, 48, Suzanne’s ex-husband, said: “She was very lucky to still be alive.
“She was hypothermic when she got to the hospital, so it’s a medical miracle.
“If she landed head or feet first, I think it would have been a different story.
“As she fell, she hit a ledge, which I think has helped break her fall.
“She also landed pretty much in the recovery position. How she avoided any head trauma is beyond me.
“It was really nasty, but it’s amazing she survived it.
“Suzanne is an experienced hiker but that part of the walk is quite unsafe as the path narrows.
“She may have got complacent and just lost her footing.”
After falling, teams from the coastguard, the Wales Air Ambulance Service, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue, the Welsh Ambulance Service, Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team and Dyfed-Powys Police rushed to the scene.
Suzanne had initially fallen onto a ledge before continuing her descent into a gorge next to a river.
Within minutes, an ex-royal marine and mountain leader, who was on the opposite side of the river, dashed over to help her.
Having landed in the recovery position, she was reassured by several member of the public as they waited for emergency services.
Bruce added: “She shattered her elbow, the bone was sticking out, and she broke her pelvis.
“The road to full recovery will be a long process and may take a while, but Suzie is in good spirits.
“I know that Suzie would love to give her sincere thanks to those on the scene who helped facilitate the rescue.
“Without question, the emergency services and the magnitude of the operation were incredible and how they kept so calm.
“She says I want to make sure there is a massive thanks and everyone is recognized for what they have done.”
Suzanne underwent reconstructive surgery on her elbow and arm on Jan. 2.
Two days later, she had surgery to repair fractures to her pelvis, as well as spinal surgery.
She has not suffered paralysis and the fractures to her spine have been repaired to ensure long-term stability.
Surgeons repaired her pelvis and L3 vertebrae and her chest drain was removed following a perforated lung on Jan. 5.
