A SOLDIER spoke for the first time today about the horrific crash which almost claimed his life.

Daniel Hadley, 21, of Rogerstone, suffered severe brain and facial injuries in the crash in Germany.

Surgeons carried out delicate reconstructive surgery on his face, which left him wearing a mask for weeks.

But now, one year on, the trooper is battling back to health and considering a new career as a fitness instructor.

Mr Hadley joined the Welsh Dragoon Guards in January 2002 and was sent straight to Iraq after completing training as a tank driver.

In April he drove a tank from Kuwait to the outskirts of Basra where British forces started 12 continuous days and nights of fighting against Iraqi forces.

Daniel survived the battle, and came home with his regiment in May last year. They were sent out to Germany for further training at the end of August.

On October 11, he and two fellow soldiers were driving when disaster struck.

He said: "We weren't on the autobahn (motorway). It was a normal road.

One guy from the regiment had just got a new car and lost control.

"The car went backwards and rolled for about 200 or 300 yards, hit two lampposts and a tree, and then went into a ditch.

"I remember getting out of the car at the end to see if any of the others were alright, but as soon as I got to the road I just collapsed.

"The driver ended up in the boot and the other passenger was about 300 yards away."

The other two soldiers escaped with only minor injuries, but Daniel had to be flown immediately to hospital in Munster, where he was operated on by neurosurgeons and facial surgeons.

He has spent most of the last 12 months in a military rehab centre, where he has completed a miraculous recovery.

Daniel, about to have a a medical discharge from the Army, is considering options, said: "Most people say they can't believe I went to Iraq, got shot at and shelled, and then had a car accident in Germany.

"I would rather have been shot in the leg in the war than have an accident like the one I had."