A CHAMPION skier who was told she would never walk again after suffering horrific injuries in a bus crash has defied doctors and taken to the slopes once more.

Brave Pamela Robb spent five months in hospital after severing her spinal cord when a coach plunged headlong down a ravine during a break in South America.

Pamela was a medal winning member of the Scottish Alpine Ski team and had been enjoying a trip of a lifetime in the Nazca region of Peru in June 2007 when the crash occurred.

The 25-year-old and her two friends Janet Broomfield, 30, and Ursula Hagan, 30, had completed the popular Inca trail which included a visit to the Lost city of Machu Picchu, high above the Urubamba Valley.

But as their group returned south to carry on their travels. their coach suddenly veered off the road.

The resulting carnage claimed the life of Ursula, from Belfast, and left Pamela of Aberdeen, and Janet from Dublin, hospitalised.

Two other passengers also died in the smash which left dozens injured.

Pamela spent five weeks in a Peruvian hospital before being flown home to Scotland where she spent a further five months in recovery.

However courageous Pamela was left shattered when doctors warned her she would never ski again and would probably not walk again without the assistance of sticks and splints.

But now after months of intense physiotherapy and the help of a committed team of specialists at a Scottish Ski Centre, SNO!zone, Pamela has strapped on her ski boots once again.

Speaking last night, Pamela, recalled the terror of her Peru trip.

She said: "My two flatmates Janet and Ursula decided to go travelling for four months but I couldn't get the time off work.

"So I decided to meet them in Peru for two-and-a-half weeks as I had always wanted to do the Inca Trail.

"We had been having the time of our lives and after two weeks we had completed the trail.

"But then the bus crash happened and our lives changed forever.

"I was squashed and couldn't move while Janet was unconscious because she hit her head.

"It was only Ursula who was able to walk off the bus and she helped to get Janet and I off safely.

"But after the crash Ursula began suffering fits and she died a month later as a result of blood clot in her lungs. I was devastated.

"I was eventually flown home to Scotland but I was warned I may never walk again.

"Then I was told that I would never ski again. I was so upset.

"Skiing is a huge part of my family's life and I couldn't contemplate not taking part.

"But first I was determined that I would walk again.

"After months of physiotherapy I am able to walk with the aid of a stick.

"Now I am taking to the slopes again at the Ski Centre at Sno Zone.

"I have to use adaptive equipment but I have found my passion for skiing again."

Pamela is learning to ski again at the SNO!zone indoor real snow slope at Braehead in Glasgow with the help of Disability Snowsports UK.

Her instructor James Cufflin, who runs an initiative to get young people with disabilities involved in skiing, said: "What many people don't realise is that anyone, regardless of their disability, can take part in snowsports.

"When Pamela had her accident, she feared that she would never ski again.

"But her determination enabled her to get back on the slopes using adaptive equipment just months after leaving hospital and she is improving at a fantastic rate.

"She's a real inspiration to other youngsters with disabilities that would not have believed they could get to the top of a mountain, let alone ski down one."