A LIFEGUARD who survived a hit-and-run has written a book about her experience swimming the Channel and dealing with heartbreak.

Rona Octavia was left disabled after she was knocked off her bike in Ribchester while training for a double Channel swim in May 2014. She suffered back, leg and head injuries and was unable to work for two months.

Unable to continue work as a lifeguard and gym instructor, she returned to Blackburn Leisure Centre as a membership advisor.

While recovering Rona wrote her memoir Knock Me Down And Watch Me Come Back Stronger which documents her relationship breakdown and swimming the Channel.

Rona, of Mill Hill, Blackburn, is now fighting fit and planning a double channel swim while also carving out a career as a writer.

Rona, who is from Swansea, said: “After the accident I could not do my sport so I threw myself into writing and painting. I had to have help with everything.

“ Everything went out of the window. I went into a deep sadness. If you love sport and you cannot do it anymore you have to look for something positive to throw yourself into.”

The book takes the reader through her experience after splitting up with her partner and her journey to swim the Channel as well as interweaving funny stories from her past.

“It is about finding yourself, learning to love yourself and how friends and family hold real value. Writing made me realise I had achieved something,” she said. “Everything happens for a reason. It’s important to look for positives. The accident made me more humble and taught me to have more empathy.”

Rona will be signing copies of her book at Accrington Library on September 29 at 2pm.