SEVEN years after becoming a Christian, former dancehall singer Chuck Turner is determined to revive his career after surviving life-threatening injuries.

Turner, best known for songs like I Miss You, Runaround Girl, I Need You, and Tears, says he has been to “hell and back”.

TURNER… I wasn’t able to walk, talk or see

He endured a challenging period that began in March, 1989, when he was involved in an auto accident which left him in a coma for three days.

After his release from the Kingston Public Hospital, Turner (real name Norris Hill) went to the United States to continue treatment.

By October 1989, he was performing again, but while leaving a Manhattan club named The Undergound with friends, he was robbed and shot in the head.

He was rushed to nearby St Vincent Hospital where he remained in a coma for five weeks.

According to the 50-year-old Turner, he emerged from the coma “half the man I was”.

“I wasn’t able to walk, talk or see. I could hear talking but couldn’t see,” he recalled. “I also lost most of my memory and my face was disfigured. I had become so depressed I would cry every day.”

Turner says he was so depressed he attempted suicide.

Dr Alfred Dawes, a laparoscopic surgeon, says Turner is fortunate to be alive.

“It is possible to recover from a traumatic brain injury as it shuts down for a time until underlying conditions are reversed. He is a lucky man though, to recover twice,” Dr Dawes told the Jamaica Observer.

In 2006, Turner became a Christian and began recording inspirational songs. His latest production, Tribulation, was recently released, and has already entered the Foundation Radio Network Top 30 Music Chart, which is compiled by Clinton Lindsay.

It is the follow-up to another song, I Am a Real Blessed Man. Turner spoke about his change in lifestyle.

“I have managed to put all thoughts of revenge behind me now. I feel more at peace since I’ve started the Christian walk,” he said.