Fiona Collier’s life changed irrevocably on a sunny May bank holiday in 1978. At just 16 years old, she heard the devastating news that her parents and sister had died in a helicopter crash over the English Channel. In the aftermath, Fiona struggled to come to terms with the sudden loss, experiencing intense grief and trauma that would shape the rest of her life.
In a raw and deeply personal account, Fiona recounts the harrowing events that unfolded that fateful day. She describes the surreal experience of hearing the news on the radio while at her boarding school, the chaos that ensued as the family home was flooded with well-wishers, and the agonising wait for her loved ones to be recovered. The loss of her father, mother, and younger sister Emma left an indelible mark, and Fiona found herself grappling with overwhelming emotions that she was unable to express.
In the months that followed, Fiona was forced to confront the harsh realities of her new reality. Her family home was sold, and her belongings were packed up by strangers. She found solace in the quiet comfort of her typewriter, clacking away as she struggled to find her voice. Fiona’s grief manifested in fits of uncontrollable anger and a profound sense of isolation, leading her to flee to distant lands in search of solace.
“I think people fear me,” Fiona reflects. “I stare at them intently and barely talk. My senses have become heightened and I feel more animal than human.”
Despite the immense challenges she faced, Fiona’s resilience shone through. She slowly rebuilt her life, finding purpose in her work as a secretary and tentatively reconnecting with friends. However, the scars of her trauma remained, and Fiona’s journey towards healing has been a long and arduous one.
Now, over 35 years later, Fiona is finally able to share her story. Through her writing, she has found a way to confront the ghosts of her past and the “deep-rooted fear of losing someone” that has haunted her. As she pursues a master’s degree in children’s literature and creative writing, Fiona’s words serve as a testament to the power of love and courage in the face of unimaginable loss.
“People say time is a healer, and I am not sure that this is true,” Fiona says. “I believe love is a healer. I have desperately wanted to bring love back into my life and it has been an enormous challenge to both love and be loved again.”
Fiona’s story is a poignant reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of sharing one’s truth. Her journey, marked by both profound grief and hard-won resilience, offers a glimpse into the lasting impact of tragedy and the enduring strength of the human heart.
