'Decapitated' rider survives
A father-of-three from Shropshire who was technically decapitated in a horrific motorbike smash has survived against the odds - thanks to a precarious operation to bolt his spine back to his skull. A father-of-three from Shropshire who was technically decapitated in a horrific motorbike smash has survived against the odds - thanks to a precarious operation to bolt his spine back to his skull. Former truck driver Andrew Love, 30, was unconscious for five weeks after coming off the borrowed bike in Donnington Wood Way, minutes from his Telford home, in April. The top of his spine was detached from his skull. As doctors realised the seriousness of Mr Love's injuries his family feared he might not survive. But weeks later surgeons at the North Staffordshire Hospital in Stoke-on-Trent, led by spinal expert Dr Vinay Jasani, undertook the life-or-death operation. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
As doctors realised the seriousness of Mr Love's injuries his family feared he might not survive.
But weeks later surgeons at the North Staffordshire Hospital in Stoke-on-Trent, led by spinal expert Dr Vinay Jasani, undertook the life-or-death operation.
The risk paid off and, although Mr Love will have two titanium bolts and two bars in his head for the rest of his life, he is now back home and has taken his first tentative steps.
"I have got my life back and I can't believe it," said Mr Love.
Mr Love, of Lodge Coppice, Donnington, said the strangest thing about the ordeal was not being able to remember the incident and having a month-long gap in his memory.
And he said it was a shake-up not to speak to his wife, Emma, and children Ben, five, seven-year-old Ryan and Tyler, nine, for so long.
He said: "My wife was the first person I saw when I woke up and I remember the first time the children came in.
"They were just standing there and staring at me. It has been very emotional. Now they are all smiling a lot and happy to have me back."
Mr Love, who is left with altered speech and multiple physical disabilities, is keen to thank everyone who supported and stood by him during the ordeal.
"What Dr Jasani has done is remarkable, and if the paramedics who first came out to me didn't know what they were doing I would have died," he said.
"As for the staff at the hospital, the only way I can describe them is angels without wings."
His mother Pauline said the family was now supporting Andrew - it is unlikely he will be able to work for some time - and looking at how to fund him and his three boys.
But she said everyone was just delighted he had made it.
Mr Love is a huge Wolverhampton Wanderers fan and was presented with a "get well" card signed by all the players.
He also served as a soldier, including in Northern Ireland, for several years.
By Dave West
