FAMILY and friends of the woman who sustained serious injuries in a freak accident at Chard Carnival have thanked everyone for their support.

The woman, who suffered life-changing injuries in the accident on Saturday, October 14, 2017, is still recovering at Southmead Hospital in Bristol although it is hoped she will soon be transferred to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton in order to be nearer her loved ones in Chard.

She was a member of the road crew of the Chard-based Eclipse Carnival Club when she got trapped underneath the club’s float at the end of the parade route in Tapstone Road by the Tesco store.

Two weeks on from the accident and her family have thanked everyone for their kindness in what has brought the Chard and Carnival community together.

“We would like to thank Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, the Coastguard Air Ambulance, Avon and Somerset Police, Eclipse Carnival Club and other Carnival Clubs for all their help and support and to the general public for their kindness,” said a family statement.

“We would also like to thank Manor Court Primary School and Holyrood Academy in Chard for its support at this difficult time.”

The family has still decided to remain anonymous, while they have also yet to publicly divulge the full extent of the injuries sustained in the dreadful accident.

The woman is still in a stable condition, but family and friends have been amazed and truly humbled at her bravery, courage and sense of humour.

“She is still pulling jokes and trying to remain upbeat,” said a family friend.

Eclipse Carnival Club members were left devastated by the accident and had been thinking about hanging up their costumes for the remainder of this Carnival season because of the terrible events.

But their friend and Carnival colleague has had none of it and has demanded that they take to the Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival Circuit – starting with the big one at Bridgwater on Saturday (November 4, 2017).

“She doesn’t want us to stop just because of her,” said a spokesman for Eclipse CC. “We had been thinking about stopping because of what happened, but now after what she has said we will hopefully be there at the start at Bridgwater Carnival.”