Content creator who suffered a stroke at 22 after a theme park rollercoaster describes learning to walk and talk again

Saskia Bishop, a 23-year-old content creator and PR executive from Worcester, suffered a devastating brain bleed on 21 April 2025 after stepping off a rollercoaster at a Southend theme park. A ruptured arteriovenous malformation caused the stroke, leaving her unable to speak, violently sick and disoriented within seconds. Her father Scott called an ambulance as she collapsed, and she later underwent a 7.5-hour operation before spending months in intensive care and rehabilitation.

Saskia spent a month unable to speak at all, and three more before she could hold a full conversation.

Her father Scott said he was unsure she would survive, calling it the 'most haunting' experience of his life.

For nine months Saskia rarely ventured outside, but her recovery has since progressed to the point where she has been able to speak publicly about the ordeal.