AN NHS worker smashed her face on concrete after accidentally plunging 13 feet from a bridge in a freak accident.

       Deméi Tito, 27, is "lucky to be alive" after landing head-first on a stone path when she lost her balance during a stroll in Ealing, London.

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       Deméi is "lucky to be alive" after the accident Credit: Kennedy News 6

       Deméi Tito, 27, smashed her face on concrete Credit: Kennedy News

       Deméi, from Ruislip, West London, crushed her jaw and teeth in the accident - and now requires ￡12,000-worth of surgeries to fix her smile.

       She was walking to a friend's house on July 24 when Deméi decided to "take a moment" by sitting on a bridge and enjoying the view over the River Brent.

       While getting up, the 27-year-old put her hand down on what she thought was part of Hanwell Bridge - but turned out to be a bush.

       She put all her weight on the arm, causing her to lose her balance and sending her tumbling 13ft over the edge.

       Horrifying x-ray scans show Deméi's jaw cracked in half with her front teeth all smashed out, while photos taken after the accident show her bloodied and broken teeth along with a large cut to her chin.

       Adventure-seeker Deméi - who says her smile is one of her favourite attributes - is sharing her ordeal to urge others to be careful when exploring.

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       Deméi, originally from Auckland, New Zealand, said: "I'm lucky to be alive."

       "I could have landed on my chin and my neck could have snapped, it may have been a totally different outcome for me and it may be for other people if they're not careful."

       A friend found Deméi covered in blood and dazed and the pair walked to the nearby hospital where she was forced to undergo a jaw operation.

       Deméi said: "I walked to A&E and went straight through because there was a significant amount of blood.

       "They gave me morphine while I was there and I dozed off a little bit, but woke up later screaming in pain."

       "I don't think I understood the severity of it at first because it didn't feel as bad as it was as my pain management was quite well controlled.

       "After I had my surgical assessment and the surgeon showed me exactly how much was wrong and how swollen my face was, it was really scary."

       Pal Adelaide Carleton has set up a fundraising page to help cover the costs.

       Deméi - who had been out drinking prior to the fall - is sharing her ordeal so that people know to watch out for hidden dangers when out and about.

       Deméi said: "I would advise anyone exploring in the UK to just be so careful.

       "This isn't the first bridge I've sat on, I used to do it all the time and didn't think much of it because I thought 'I'm never going to fall'.

       "You've just got to be extra careful, it could have been a totally different outcome."

       To donate to Deméi's fundraiser, click here.

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       Deméi landed head-first on a stone path Credit: Kennedy News 6

       Horrifying x-ray scans show Deméi's jaw cracked in half Credit: Kennedy News 6

       Deméi, originally from Auckland, New Zealand, crushed her jaw and teeth Credit: Kennedy News 6

       The 27-year-old stopped to look over Hanwell Bridge Credit: N Chadwick/Creative Commons Lice