Sixteen months ago teenager Emma Danskin almost died following a horrific car crash.

Since then she has been close to death several times, but today the brave 18-year-old was finally coming home from hospital.

The car in which Emma was travelling ploughed into a field between Otley and Harrogate in November 2003. Her devastated parents were told she was not likely to survive the massive blow to her head.

The crash left her with a blood clot which led to a massive stroke paralysing one half of her body.

Three months later she risked death again when surgeons re-built half her head.

The complicated operation was to replace a piece of bone which had to be removed from her skull to make room for swelling.

Emma's mother Helen Crow, 37, a detective constable, of Burley-in-Wharfedale, said: "There were several times during those early days when we thought we were going to lose her and feared she would never be coming home."

After almost a year in hospital Emma was moved to a brain injury rehabilitation centre in Leeds to learn skills that most people take for granted, such as getting washed.

Intensive therapy has also helped her learn to walk, talk and read again.

Although Emma has been home on weekend visits, today she was due to come home for good.

"It took a bit of time for the news to sink in. We've been given dates before and had our hopes raised only for them to be dashed at the last minute," said Helen, who is separated from Emma's father Adrian, who lives in Otley. Both have new partners.

Emma will spend weekends with her dad and weekdays at home, where she will be helped by two rehabilitation assistants when her mum is out at work.

While Emma has been away, a two-storey extension has been built on to her mum's house so she has her own ground-floor bedroom and bathroom.

Helen said: "Emma has been counting the days down to coming home.

"She's determined to get her independence back, she hates using the wheelchair.

"Right from the start of her recovery she has shown sheer determination and has clung on to it and refused to let go, that's what's got her through."

Emma has already been looking for computer and art courses to sign up for after the summer.

"She desperately wants to be normal again.

"It's going to take a bit of time to settle down at home and get in to routines but she is already thinking ahead about what she wants to do," said Helen.

"High on the list is going out clubbing with the girls."