Left for
She was a police officer with a brilliant future ahead of her, a young mum of two small children and a popular woman, with a huge circle of friends and colleagues who adored her.
But early on the morning of May 13 2009, Samantha Barlow’s whole world came to a shuddering halt. As she walked to work at Kings Cross Police Station, a man slunk out of the shadows behind her and smashed her in the back of her head with a brick, over and over again. He hit her with such force, it actually dented the back of her skull, and injured her brain.
The next period for Samantha was a living nightmare. She was dragged to the back of the park where he’d been hiding and had her face rammed into a brick wall. It was only when her assailant, a long-term drug addict and serial offender, was rifling through her possessions that he suddenly realised she was a police officer. Immediately, he panicked, thinking he’d killed a cop. It was then that he left her for dead in the back of the lonely park, just before sunrise.
Her battle to survive makes chilling reading. Many people saw her but passed straight by, thinking she must be a junkie, covered in blood and lying in the park. It was only when a routine police patrol passed by and happened to catch sight of her, lying crumpled in a bus shelter where she’d managed to crawl, that help finally arrived. But even then, she was so badly injured, the officers failed to recognise their colleague.
Samantha was finally raced to hospital and put into a coma. Her husband Laurence, also a police officer, was summoned, and told she was unlikely to live. But brave Samantha confounded everyone’s expectations. Her amazing battle is a truly inspirational tale.
Left For Dead: A True Story of Resilience and Courage was published by Penguin in August 2013 as a print book and audio book.
Reviews
“Despite its horrific beginning, Left for Dead is a story of overcoming victimhood, not succumbing to it. Co-written by journalist and author Sue Williams, this book tells the story of a glamour couple from the NSW Police: Samantha, an athletic, attractive and vivacious officer promoted to sergeant after only 10 years’ service, and her husband, Laurence, a tough, no-nonsense inspector. Both had extensive operational experience in the state’s toughest beats. Both were accustomed to being in control, to taking charge of difficult situations and to being the one who provided help. As each discovered, such traits can make an already terrible ordeal far worse when the professional helper becomes the victim.”
Martin Leonard
The Australian
“This is a book of triumph over adversity and if you want an inspirational read, this is the book to get your hands on.”
The Northern River Times
“An amazing story of survival and determination, not just for Sam herself, but her whole family. I remember seeing the news stories regarding this remarkable woman and the horrific attack she endured, but somehow her story became lost in the onslaught of bad news stories one sees every day. This book brings it back to the forefront, and I was especially glad to see Sam still living and fighting, and rebuilding what she can of her life.”
Kirsti
Goodreads
“This really was an incredible account and a “must read” for all Australians. The police do an amazing job under a lot of pressure. We should thank them for what they do for us, every day. ”
Monica Mac
Goodreads
