DOUGAL Wilson’s brilliant, inspiring, lump-in-the-throat promotional video to advertise C4’s coverage of the Paralympic Games is subtitled “The Superhumans”.

Ironically, Issy Bailey’s path to the Paralympics in Rio began on a night out with the girls at Man of Steel, the Superman movie.

Three University of Exeter freshers including Issy, from Somerford Keynes near Cirencester, were heading back to their digs on a June night in 2013, when their Citroen C1 was involved in a catch weight contest against two bigger cars.

The accident resulted in Issy being placed in an induced coma for five days having been resuscitated at the scene.

She had broken five ribs, crushed her right lung, severed her liver, lost the full use of her left hand and broken her back, leaving the active, sporty student paralysed from the waist down and facing the prospect of sitting down for the rest of her life.

Her two friends got off more lightly, one breaking her elbow and damaging her knee while the other back seat passenger with Issy suffered serious internal injuries – and has only just started walking again.

Issy’s recovery has been long and tortuous but as inspirational as anything in Wilson’s celebrated promo.

Within 18 months of the crash former Rendcomb College student Issy, now 22, was ranked number one in the world in the 10-metre air pistol para shooting and a year on she is heading to Rio as part of Team GB’s squad.

Speaking to The Standard at the launch of the GB Paralympics team, the remarkably positive Bailey told me: “What a week I have just had. On Monday I graduated from uni (a year late with a 2:1 in English literature) and here I am being feted at the Paralympics team launch.

“It seems unreal that so many people want to talk to us.

“Usually when I am competing there are a maximum of 50 spectators and most of them are fellow athletes and coaches.” She was encouraged to try shooting as part of her rehab at the world famous Stoke Mandeville Hospital for spinal injuries.

“I broke a lot of ribs in my accident and I was simply in too much pain to try anything other than a passive sport,” she added.

“I had shot rifles in the CCF at school and done some clay pigeon shooting but the pistol shooting was a way of passing the time and meeting people.

“I never thought I would take it this far.

“It’s been a very tough year striking a balance between completing my degree and training for the Paralympics.

“It is three hours between Exeter and Stoke Mandeville so I spend a lot of time on the road. Sometimes I have had to make sacrifices on both sides – education and sport.

“I missed out on automatic Rio qualification in the US last November but the selectors have kindly given me a wildcard.”

Issy rather downplays her chances of winning GB’s first ever Paralympic medal in pistol shooting – they won three in London in the air rifle competition – putting forward teammate Stewart Nangle as a more realistic podium hope.

But just representing GB in a sport that she had not begun until two years ago is a staggering achievement in itself.

“Last year I was number one in the world at one point,” said Issy.

Understandably, given her studies over the last few months, she has slipped a little to number six.

“It is not my goal to win a gold medal in Rio,” she said. “I’m seen as someone with potential and this is more an opportunity to experience a high level of competition, which would help me prepare for future European and World championships. I have my sights firmly on the Tokyo Games of 2020.

“But competing in Rio is crucial in terms of the psychology of the event, competing under pressure against the best in the world and learning from our team members who have won medals before.

“I played hockey at university and to a decent level in the West of England but the Olympics were never on my radar.”

For more of an adrenaline rush she plays wheelchair rugby and badminton. But she insisted: “There is still a buzz in shooting when it goes well – that sense of achievement and for those to be recognised.

Turning her mind back to the fateful night of her accident, she said: “I know I had stopped breathing and that I had to be resuscitated at the scene.

“But I have no memories of what happened during the five days in which I was in an induced coma.

“I do remember going to see Man of Steel and it being rather good though.

“Obviously, I occasionally get angry over my circumstances and have ‘why me’ moments – who wouldn’t – but in many ways I have been a very lucky girl.

“There are a lot of positives to look back on and forward to.

“For example, the week I have just had.”

Of course, Issy has a support team behind her all the way, none more so than her mum Ali.

“My mum has supported me and has been with me to every World Cup event – even as far away as Australia. I am eternally grateful to her.

“In fact, it’s going to be tough not having her by my side in Rio, although she will be in the crowd cheering me on as a spectator.”

Issy is also keen to acknowledge the help provided by GB para shooting coach Vladimir Filimonov. “He has believed in me from day one,” said Issy. “In fact, he has always called me ‘his little champion’.”

q Issy Bailey shoots in Rio on Thursday, September 8.