Catrin Pugh, then 19 years old, was planning her future when a terrible incident rocked her world. The bus she was riding on collapsed in April 2013, when she was on holiday in the French Alps. With 96% of her body burned, Catrin’s chances of life were deemed to be very slim by medical professionals.
Born and reared in North Wales, UK, Catrin Pugh was an ordinary youngster who loved to explore new places and have exciting adventures. After the ski season in the French Alps finished, she boarded a coach on a sunny spring day in April 2013 to return to Britain. The path, which included 21 difficult hairpin turns, was well-known for its precipitous fall.
Catrin’s peace was disturbed when they were negotiating the twentieth turn when she heard the driver murmur, “I’ve got no brakes!” There was panic.
“We’re still here because the driver turned the wheel in time when I saw the drop in front of us,” claims Catrin. But they ran into the rocks on the other side of the curve. Of the 52 individuals on board, the driver, Maurice Wrightson, was the only one to pass away. For his deeds, he was eventually given the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery posthumously.
Pugh had severe burns to her face, arms, legs, and chest when she was confined inside the flaming vehicle. Doctors at a hospital in Grenoble, France, where she was flown, estimated her chances of life at only 1%.
The only parts of her body unaffected by the fire were the soles of her feet and a few spots on her scalp. Pugh persevered despite the circumstances. She endured several excruciating hours of rehabilitation in addition to more than 200 procedures. Gradually, she started to feel better. She is now glad to identify as a burn survivor and is deeply committed to supporting those who have gone through comparable suffering.
She has also turned into a burn survivor advocate, collaborating with organizations and charities to increase public awareness of the psychological and physical difficulties that burn victims experience. Millions of people have been moved by her message of hope, and her efforts have improved the lives of countless others.
She also represents the cosmetics brand Avon and has modeled for a charity that aids those who “look different” at London Fashion Week.
The inspiring tale of Catrin Pugh demonstrates the strength of resiliency and willpower in the face of difficulty. She had to endure unfathomable obstacles, but instead of giving up, she found the fortitude to get over her wounds and start afresh.
