The family of a KFC worker feared brain dead after taking an overdose are elated - after she spoke for the first time since waking up from a coma.
Emma Price, 32, attempted to take her own life after allegedly being bullied at work at KFC in Pitsea, Essex, her family say.
Relatives were told she was brain dead - but this week Emma said: "Hi mom, hi dad" over the phone from hospital.
KFC said an "urgent" investigation has been launched into the incident, and that maintaining a "safe and inclusive" working environment is essential for the business.
Emma opened her eyes hours before her life support was due to be turned off last month, although the extent of her brain damage is yet to be known.
And after hearing her speak, mom Samantha, 56, said: “I burst out crying, I bawled my eyes out ‘oh my god, she is speaking."
“She had asked for the phone in hospital and said, ‘Hi mom, hi dad’, my son cried, and I was crying, they were tears of joy and elation, I was gobsmacked.
“I said, ‘Emma, Emma, you’re speaking’, I couldn’t describe it.
“We were just on the phone to the hospital, and they said, ‘do you want to speak to her?’, that was the first time we heard her speak again.
“It was amazing, we called it our miracle and from the start, with doctors telling us the chances of her coming back were so slim.”
Samantha added that although Emma can now speak, she is suffering the effects of brain damage.
Emma's dad David Price, 60, said: "Emma is speaking but it is slow and she gets confused.
"She has memory loss and she still can't stand or walk.
"She had a smile on her face yesterday when she was allowed a sip of Pepsi and she's had a yogurt.
"She is taking tiny steps down a long road to recovery."
Emma Price in an induced coma. (David Price via SWNS)
However, the family are more confident than ever that she will make more improvements.
Day added: “We are so glad to have her back.
"I don’t mind how she comes back, whether she speaks slower or cannot walk, we just want our Emma back and we hope she comes back soon.
“Every day there is an improvement, the support has been absolutely amazing for what has been done.
“We can’t thank people enough and the interest there has been in Emma.”
KFC said: "Our thoughts are with Emma and her family at this difficult time.
"Maintaining a working environment that is safe and inclusive for all team members is essential for us a business.
"These allegations are being taken extremely seriously and an urgent investigation into the matter is already underway."
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