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BBC Countryfile star recalls horror farming accident which left her 'thinking I'm going to die' as teenager

The presenter reflected on her devastating accident

ITV/BBC
Olivia Gantzer

By Olivia Gantzer


Published: 18/06/2024

- 18:39

Sammi Kinghorn was left with life-changing injuries at the age of 14

Countryfile star Sammi Kinghorn has revealed the traumatic way her life changed at the age of 14 when she was involved in a horror farming accident.

The 28-year-old had always helped out on her family farm in the Scottish borders, helping her dad Neil to run the rural business.


In 2010, Kinghorn, then 14, made a decision that altered the rest of her life.

The then-teenager had been playing on the farm with a friend when they spotted Neil using a forklift.

The farmer was "beeping his horn and laughing" with them when Kinghorn climbed onto the dangerous vehicle.

Speaking to OK!, she admitted: "To this day, I have no idea why I did it."

Sammi Kinghorn

The wheelchair racer was involved in a horror incident at the age of 14

Getty

Her dad had no idea his daughter had climbed into the machinery and so went about using it as normal, lowering the bucket he'd been using to shovel snow on top of her.

The presenter told the publication about the horrifying next moments as she recalled: "I started screaming.

"I felt my back popping and before I knew it my head was in my crotch. I was crushed right down into a tiny ball.

"My heart was thumping in my chest. Everything felt really slow and all I could hear was my breath.

Sammi Kinghorn

Kinghorn stars in BBC Countryfile

BBC

"I remember closing my eyes and thinking, 'You’re going to die, and your dad’s going to think it’s his fault.'"

After she fell onto a pile of snow, Kinghorn recalled how her lugs twitched and she never felt them again.

Not wanting her dad to feel the accident was his fault, she confessed she initially lied about what had happened.

However, doctors realised it would have been impossible to sustain such injuries just by slipping and she told the truth.

Sammi Kinghorn

Kinghorn is now a Paralympic medallist

Getty

Despite being left paralysed from the waist down and having to relearn basic skills along with undergoing surgery, the presenter was determined not to let the incident stop her from living her life.

She is now a world champion in wheelchair races, a double Paralympic medallist and a 1500m world record holder.

Speaking previously to Farmers' Guide, the champion racer and TV host commented: "I'll never be able to take away the guilt that my dad feels because he is my father and although it’s not his fault, he’s always going to feel guilty but when I do my job now and I travel the world, I compete in stadiums with thousands and thousands of people and I do well, and most importantly I love it, I know that it makes him feel that little bit better."