NHS ‘saved my feet’ after horror accident

A MAN whose feet were mangled by a lawnmower has praised the ‘excellent’ NHS after his toes were saved despite horrific injuries.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Aug 2013, 18:00 BST
Derek Wood, who had his feet mangled in a lawnmower, while trying to mow his grass three weeks agoDerek Wood, who had his feet mangled in a lawnmower, while trying to mow his grass three weeks ago
Derek Wood, who had his feet mangled in a lawnmower, while trying to mow his grass three weeks ago

Derek Wood, 74, of The Poplars, Ferring, shattered his toe in five places and cut his feet to the bone after running them over with a lawnmower three weeks ago.

But thanks to swift treatment by paramedics and two operations, he luckily escaped without losing any toes.

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He said: “I was in so much shock I didn’t feel any pain. I was more annoyed at my own stupidity.

“I’m very lucky I didn’t lose any toes.”

Mr Wood was cutting his lawn with a 35-year-old lawnmower, which lacked modern-day safety features.

He had to start it from the front, and had left it in gear.

When it started, it knocked him over, and went over his feet, before stalling.

His wife, Sue, 74, then called an ambulance.

She said: “I was shaking and trembly, as he shouted to call an ambulance.

“I was frightened at what I was going to see when I saw him.

“It was very gory, but you can’t panic in that situation.”

For the full story, see the Worthing Herald, out Thursday, August 8.

Related topics:NHSFerring