Two visitors who survived a serious crash in Sandys returned to the island to thank their rescuers.

Susan and Chris Miliner came to Bermuda on a cruise ship on June 29 last year, but they had a brush with disaster only a few hours into their trip when they crashed their rental cycle into a wall near the bottom of Scaur Hill.

The couple were thrown over the wall and plunged more than 20 feet on to the rocky shoreline below.

While Mr Miliner’s injuries were not considered to be life-threatening, Mrs Miliner was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit suffering from a serious head injury.

She was eventually flown to the United States for medical treatment while still on life support.

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A police spokesman said on social media that Pc Rajiv Bailey, who had been one of the attending officers at the collision, was surprised to receive an unexpected text message from Mrs Miliner several weeks ago.

“During their time in hospital locally, Pc Bailey, who was one of the attending officers at the collision, acted as a self-appointed liaison, assisting Chris and other members of their family while they were on the island,” the spokesman said.

“The Miliners did not let their bad experience spoil their desire to visit the island and once well enough to travel again, decided they were going on another cruise to Bermuda.

“Susan sent Pc Bailey a text, stating that she remembered nothing about the accident, but had been told about his kindness by her husband. She also insisted they meet on the couple’s return, so she could thank him personally.”

The couple arrived back in Bermuda last Tuesday and were met on the dock by Pc Bailey, who took them to meet the doctors, nurses, firefighters and emergency medical technicians who had helped them following their crash.

“Susan’s story is nothing short of a miracle, as she explained to officers that she was left with a traumatic brain injury, resulting in her having to learn to walk and talk again,” the spokesman said.

“She admits that she still has some minor challenges as a result of the injury, but she isn’t letting it stop her from living her life.

“Although the accident was a life-altering experience for the couple, they joked about having T-shirts at home that say, ‘I Survived a Bermuda Moped’.”