AN Abergavenny woman is returning to the American hospital which saved her life after an horrific holiday accident to say thank you.

Adeline Bevan has made a remarkable recovery since being knocked over by a truck in Memphis in 2007 and will fly back out to donate £4,000 she and her family has raised for the ward she was treated on later this month.

Mrs Bevan was enjoying her dream holiday to America with her husband, Gary, when she was hit on a pedestrian crossing near Elvis Presley’s former home, Graceland - leaving her with severe head injuries, a ruptured spleen, punctured lung, broken ribs, displaced eye socket and shoulder and knee damage.

She was in a coma for 31 days at Memphis’ Regional Medical Centre, where she under went 12 operations.

Mr Bevan said: “Adeline had two brain haemorrhages as well as her numerous other injuries, so she spent more than 40 days in one of the three busiest trauma centres in America.”

She was allowed to fly back to the UK after 43 days and underwent a further fortnight’s treatment at Abergavenny’s Nevill Hall Hospital.

The road to recovery was long and painful.

Mrs Bevan, who lives in Plas Derwen, was unable to drive for almost a year and under went physiotherapy on her right arm because her shoulder tendons were ripped.

With the help of family and friends, she launched the Home and Away Trauma Centre appeal in May 2008 to raise funds for the two hospitals which treated her.

The appeal raised £8,000 through events including an Elvis tribute night, pool tournament, quiz night, treasure hunt and raffles in her family's shops - Premier Stores in Mardy and The Old Store in Hereford Road.

Mr Bevan said: “Everyone at both hospitals was fantastic in their care of Adeline and we want to show our appreciation.”

On April 29, Mr and Mrs Bevan will fly back out to Memphis to complete the holiday they never finished.

They will present £4,000 to the Elvis Presley Memorial Trauma Centre, where staff saved Mrs Bevan’s life, and have their names put onto the hospital’s donor wall of honour.

The remaining £4,000 will go to Ward 3/1 and Gilwern Ward at the Nevill Hall.

In recognition of the trauma they suffered, they have been given the best suite at the Heartbreak Hotel and, after the presentation, will have a tour of Gracelands, visit Sun Studios, watch two shows in Las Vegas and fly to the Grand Canyon for a sunset picnic.

Mrs Bevan said: “This return visit will bring closure for me because I can’t remember anything about our first trip."