Teenage footballer loses part of his leg
A budding young footballer who was impaled on his bicycle's handlebar has had to have part of his leg amputated.
Blaine Robinson was cycling to a football match when he came off his bike and the handlebar went through his groin, severing his femoral artery.
The Newtown Wanderers and Newtown AFC Under-18s player was flown to hospital in Stoke-on-Trent, but lost so much blood he was forced to lose part of his leg.
The 18-year-old's mother Kim Hughes, 45, said her son is in "high spirits" despite still being in hospital in Stoke while he undergoes treatment following the accident which happened on September 20.
She said: "Football is his life and he was cycling to a game when he had his accident. He was on his BMX, did a bunny hop and it all went wrong. He didn't have the padding on his handlebars, it was just the exposed metal and it went straight through his groin, severing his femoral artery.
"It was because of that his circulation was suffering and the blood could not get to the bottom of his leg and it left no choice but to have the operation.
"Despite all this and his love of football, he is in good spirits all things considered."
Mrs Hughes said she wanted to thank the emergency services and hospital staff.
"I am so grateful to the fire, police and ambulance service for their work at the scene and the surgeon as well because he said he is lucky to be alive," she said.
"I am visiting him all the time and the huge amount of support he has had has been overwhelming." Mrs Hughes said her son still hopes to be involved in the game. "He has been promised a coaching role and he would love to play in some capacity again as well," she added.
Daniel Ratcliff, assistant manager of Newtown Wanderers, added: "All the staff and players at the club are devastated, he is such a great lad and is a superb footballer.
"He is in high spirits at the moment, and everyone sends their best wishes.
"He wants to stay involved with the club and we want to hold a fundraiser to help with getting a prosthetic for him.
"It also shows the character of the lad, that after all his operations he wanted to thank the Wales Air Ambulance for what they did for him, and he wants to raise money for them."
