Gill Clements was never a natural athlete. It took years of dedicated training and a few months learning to swim before she started winning triathlon trophies.

Gill, from Fircroft Avenue, north Lancing, thought nothing of a 44-mile cycle ride to Horsham to keep herself in peak condition.

But her training regime led to disaster when a driver smashed into her as she rode along the Steyning bypass.

The impact broke six ribs, her collarbone and her upper and lower pelvis.

Now, after seven years of operations, stair lifts, morphine and crutches, 49-year-old Gill has spoken of her ordeal and her determination to get on with her life.

On September 12, 1996, Gill climbed on her bike for a ride in the country.

She did not notice the jeep approaching from behind, as she peddled along the A283. It pounded into the right side of her body, sending her crashing on to a grass verge.

The driver only returned after a witness gave chase.

Gill said: "There was no excuse. It was 9.10am on a clear, sunny morning and I was wearing a luminous jacket and shorts. According to a witness, the driver did not pull out for me, he carried on as if I wasn't there.

"It seemed to happen in split seconds and, the next minute, I was being put in the ambulance."

After about two months of lying on beds at Worthing, Southlands and Goring Hall hospitals, Gill was allowed to go home on November 2.

But doctors soon discovered, due to the excruciating pain she was in, the triathlete's bones had not mended.

She had to undergo ten operations, including steel plates being screwed on to her collarbone and pelvis.

Gill said: "They realised I was not healing and, all the time I was walking, the bones were grinding.

"With my shoulder, any other movements, like brushing your teeth would aggravate it.

"I had two operations in three weeks. They put a metal plate and eight screws to hold the collarbone together. They also had to shave a bone in my pelvis which was growing back the wrong way."

Gill had even more difficulties to contend with when the driver who bumped into her denied committing reckless driving.

In February 1997, she was summoned to give evidence at a trial in Horsham Magistrates Court.

She was still wheelchair-bound and was upset when the driver failed to turn up.

Another trial date was set for the next month. Gill discovered the driver intended to defend himself.

She said: "The moment he got me in the witness stand, I declared war on him. He had never showed any remorse, never wished me well, never apologised - he was purely defensive.

"When he questioned me, he said there was tree and I might have pulled out into the road to get away from its branches. There was no tree.

"It only took the magistrates five minutes to find him guilty."

The driver was fined £200, had to pay £143 costs and was given five penalty points.

Gill said: "Since 1997, when I had my first two operations, I've been on painkillers.The way it has affected my life is I cannot run or cycle."

It was her love of swimming that brought her out of the malaise the pain had induced.

Gill said: "Slowly I got some strength and now I go swimming every morning."

With improved fitness she eventually got a job at Southlands Hospital two-and-half years after the crash. She had a gym installed at her home and swims every morning.

"I'm in control now, I'm not a control freak but I want to be allowed to control my life. When I get really down I snap myself out of it because I won't let that driver win."

Praising her partner Richard Avery for all his support, Gill said: "He's the best man in the world."