Family's joy as KFC worker feared brain dead after taking overdose 'because she was bullied by colleagues' wakes from coma

A KFC worker who miraculously woke from a coma shortly before her life support machine was due to be switched off has spoken for the first time. 

Relatives of 32-year-old Emma Price were told she was brain dead - but this week the patient stunned her family and medics by uttering her first words: 'Hi mum, hi dad.'

Ms Price, 32, attempted to take her own life after allegedly being bullied at work at KFC in Pitsea, Essex, her family say. 

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.

Ms Price 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.

KFC team leader Emma Price (pictured) was in an induced coma after overdosing on painkiller medication having twice complained to managers that she was being treated unfairly

Emma (pictured), a 'homey' animal-lover, reached out to the mental health charity MIND and was due to have her first appointment with them on Monday, July 15

And after hearing her speak, mum Samantha Day, 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 mum, 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.'

Although Ms Price can now speak, she is suffering the effects of brain damage, her family said.

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 yoghurt.

'She is taking tiny steps down a long road to recovery.'

However, the family are more confident than ever that she will make more improvements.

Ms 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.

Emma's family, Essex, said her first words to them when waking from a coma were: 'hi mum, hi dad'

David Price (pictured with his daughter Emma) said 'he is taking tiny steps down a long road to recovery'

'We can't thank people enough and the interest there has been in Emma.'

Ms Price overdosed on painkiller medication having twice complained to managers that she was being treated unfairly.

But the KFC team leader was allegedly told she was 'causing trouble' and would regularly come home crying from the stress of being over-worked.

Ms Price had told loved ones that she was being overworked while other staff members did nothing and said she caught them talking about her behind her back.

She had been working at KFC for eight years as a team leader when she was subject to the alleged bullying which began in the latter half of 2023.

Ms Price, a 'homey' animal-lover, reached out to the mental health charity MIND and was due to have her first appointment with them on July 15. 

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.'

• For help and support, call the Samaritans for free from a UK phone, completely anonymously, on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org.