Peterlee soldier loses his legs in Afghanistan bomb blast
Michael Keighley, of Peterlee, County Durham, was injured while serving in Afghanistan
A HERO soldier has been left with life-threatening injuries, after his legs were blown off in a bomb blast in Afghanistan.
Michael Keighley fell and triggered an improvised explosive device while searching for bombs.
The 23-year-old was serving with The Rifles when he found two bombs buried underground.
After discovering a third device, he turned to warn his fellow soldiers and tripped over some rubble, setting a bomb off.
The
explosion caused him to lose both legs, one below the knee and the
other above the knee, and left him with a shattered pelvis, shrapnel
wounds to his abdomen, a broken jaw, broken finger, and injuries to his
left arm.
Today as Michael, from Peterlee, lies in his hospital bed, his heartbroken family spoke out about his struggle for survival.
His younger sister, Michelle said when she first heard the news she did not know whether her brother was alive or dead.
“I had a missed call on my phone from my mum,” said the 20-year-old.
“I then received a voicemail from mum crying, telling me to come home straight away.
“I knew something had happened and I had a gut feeling it was to do with Michael.
“I
was devastated when I found out that he was injured. All I hoped was
that he would carry on fighting through the long flight home.”
Michael
had to survive an 11-hour flight from Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, to
Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, where doctors told his family to
expect the worst.
“Nothing could really sink in,” said Michelle.
“We got told by the doctors that Michael was the worst case they had
ever seen and every second was critical.
“I couldn’t prepare myself. I just tried to convince myself not to cry and be strong for my family.
“I
didn’t recognise him with all the tubes, bandages, drips and his
stomach open with a pelvis cage. I just couldn’t believe it was my
brother.”
Waking up for the first time, Michael was confused as to what had happened to him.
“My mum would tell him what happened but because of all the medication he couldn’t take it in,” said Michelle.
“Then he would wake up and forget everything that was said and where he was.”
The Rifleman has also had to fight three infections during his recovery, since the incident in July.
After months of critical care, Michael has now been moved to a recovery ward, but Michelle says his battle is not over.
“My
brother will have to go through physiotherapy every day. He’s getting
better now and understands what has happened, but it’s unlikely that
he’ll be able to come home for some months still.
“We aren’t going to have Christmas until he’s back home with us.
“He is a fighter and my hero.”
source: sunderlanecho
Comments