Darcey Corria, the trailblazing Miss Wales winner, has just announced an exciting new chapter in her life—joining Virgin Atlantic as a crew member—two years after surviving a horrific crash on the M4.
The beauty queen and model took to Instagram to share the news, posting a photo of herself in Virgin Atlantic’s signature red uniform, designed by the late fashion icon Vivienne Westwood. Her caption read: “Blood, sweat and tears must pour before you get to wear the red Viv”, adding, “Couldn’t be prouder to work for [Virgin Atlantic].”
Her inspiring announcement comes after a devastating accident that nearly changed her life forever.
From Beauty Queen to Survivor
Darcey made history as the first woman of color to be crowned Miss Wales in 2022, setting her sights on the Miss World pageant. But in January 2023, while returning to her hometown of Barry after dropping off dresses in Swansea, her world was turned upside down.
Recalling the harrowing experience, she told WalesOnline:
“The car started to spin out of control. I assumed I had gone over ice because of the weather—it was so bad. Even the day before, the woman at the dress company had messaged me and said: ‘Don’t come down – the weather is too bad. Leave it.’ But I thought I’d be okay.”
But she wasn’t.
Her car spun out and collided with the central reservation. Still reeling from the shock, she realized the danger was far from over. “I looked out of my driver’s window. I was across the two lanes, and I could see the traffic coming towards me pretty fast.” As she attempted to escape from the passenger side, another vehicle crashed into her.
Fighting for Her Life
Rushed to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, Darcey suffered severe injuries, including a broken pelvis and two fractures in her neck. She spent 20 agonizing days in the hospital before being discharged in February 2023. But the road to recovery was long and grueling.
“My recovery has been very slow. It’s been up and down—some days my body feels really tired, other days I have energy. But the mental impact has been the hardest to deal with,” she admitted.
Wearing a neck brace made her feel self-conscious in public, and she gained a new perspective on accessibility issues for people with disabilities.
“It’s been a real eye-opener. I’ve noticed how many places lack disabled toilets. This experience has changed the way I see the world.”
A New Outlook on Life
Despite her struggles, Darcey refused to let the accident define her. She took a month-long volunteering trip to Ghana in September 2023, helping children in schools—an experience she described as life-changing.
“I think that was the happiest I had ever been in my whole entire life,” she shared.
She also fulfilled her dream of competing in Miss World in February 2024, representing Wales on the global stage. Now, with her new role at Virgin Atlantic, she’s embracing yet another adventure—this time, in the skies. Fans and followers flooded her Instagram with messages of support and congratulations. Her journey from tragedy to triumph is nothing short of extraordinary, proving that no setback is too great to overcome.
Darcey Corria is not just a beauty queen—she’s a fighter, a survivor, and an inspiration.
