A woman who lost both her legs in an attempt to take her own life has spoken of her joy at recovering and becoming a mum.
Helen Galsworthy was just 18 years old when she walked on to train tracks close to her home in Eastleigh, Hampshire.
Suffering from depression and addicted to cocaine, she wanted to end her life. But she moved just as the train approached – which took off both her legs below the knee.
Incredibly, Helen was conscious for just long enough to see her detached legs lying on the track, before a passing dog walker found her and she was rushed to hospital.
Now, seven years later, 25-year-old Helen says she can finally talk about the ordeal and coming to terms with being an amputee.
And she is moving on with her life after having a little boy called Thomas.
Helen, who now lives in Chandler's Ford, Hampshire, told her story to Barcroft Media.
"When I lost my legs I thought my life was over, but now I have so much to live for," she said.
Thomas has made me realise that I'm here for a reason.
Helen was bullied at school, which left her self-esteem in tatters. When she was 18 she became involved with drugs and dropped out of university.
At rock bottom, she felt that suicide was the only way out.
She said: "Strangely I felt really happy. I was more at peace than I had been for a long time. I just lay down and shut my eyes and put some music on waiting for when I got hit by the train, but it didn't go to plan.
"I moved slightly at the last minute and ended up with just my legs across the tracks. I just remember thinking, 'Oh god, I've really messed this up'. I could see a lot of blood and the end of my jeans were cut off. It was agonising.
"I couldn't believe what had happened, I lay down there to die, not to end up disabled."
Story continues after the video