Jennifer Landale, a 31-year-old Scottish mother, suffered a severe facial injury in May 2021 during a horse-riding accident near Huntly, Aberdeenshire. While helping a friend break in a young horse, she was thrown off and dragged by the reins before being struck in the face by the horse’s back hoof. The impact caused multiple fractures, including a broken jaw, eye socket, cheekbones, and a fractured neck, with her face reportedly “pushed back into her head.” She was airlifted by Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where she underwent a 12-hour operation to reconstruct her face.

Despite the severity of her injuries and initial concerns about brain damage and optic nerve pressure, Jennifer made a remarkable recovery. She spent nine nights in hospital, including time in intensive care, and now lives with some permanent changes, such as a diminished sense of smell and altered facial appearance. Grateful for the expert care and support from emergency services, Jennifer recently gave birth to her son Glen and credits the swift medical response for saving her life and aiding her recovery.