Afghanistan hero in message to troops

A north Shropshire soldier paralysed after being shot in the brain by a Taliban sniper has sent a message of support to his colleagues in Afghanistan.

Sergeant Alistair McKinney, from Tern Hill, near Market Drayton, amazed medical experts by cheating death when he was shot in the head while patrolling in Musa Quala in 2006.

Sgt McKinney, a member of the Royal Irish Regiment, based at Clive Barracks, Tern Hill, said he was rooting for his colleagues in the war-torn country while he continues his incredible recovery.

"I would like to pass on my support to them," he said. "They are doing a really good job out there."Sgt McKinney put his ordeal down to an 'unfortunate incident' and wants to return to service. He was shot while patrolling the base in Musa Quala.

He was flown to hospital for emergency surgery to relieve brain swelling and was then taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, where he underwent further surgery.

Medical experts said the injury would have been fatal 99.9 per cent of the time.

Sgt McKinney, aged 36, is now paralysed down the left side of his body and needs a wheelchair. He can take only a few steps using a walking frame. However, he says he does not regret going to Afghanistan, because he was out there doing a job he loved.

The father-of-one said, instead of being frustrated by his injuries, he has remained positive and takes encouragement from other wounded soldiers at the rehabilitation centre in Headley Court, Surrey, where he is recuperating.

He said: "Here, I have occupational therapy and physiotherapy, to get me used to using my left side again, which is paralysed. It is looking promising, so I am quite confident, and I'm up for the fight to walk again.

"It was just an unfortunate incident. My next goal is to walk without a frame. I will take it day by day, but considering I survived, anything is possible."

Sergeant McKinney said he hopes to be discharged from the rehabilitation centre next month, and will return to his Market Drayton home to be looked after by his parents. Ultimately he wants to live independently and go back to the regiment.

Photo by Steve Woods www.newsteam.co.uk