While filming the
Adam Smith (1972) series in Scotland, Janet mentioned to
local doctor that she was having severe stomach pains. He thought it might
be an ulcer and suggested that she see her own doctor in London. Her own
doctor booked her for a scan which involved the usual 10-hour fast followed
by a barium meal. After the scan she was driving home and blacked out,
crashing into the back of a parked car. Seat-belt use and laminated screens
weren't compulsory in those days, and the impact sent her straight through
the windscreen. The resulting injuries left her blind for 4 days with 130
stitches. Her surgeon was confident the facial injuries would heal eventually,
leaving no scars. She had only recovered sight in one eye and she was to spend
the next 6 months having treatment on her eyes. Her daughter Sally, who had
been in the backseat, suffered only minor injuries.
