Scuba Geek

Friends rally around scuba diver run over by dive boat January 31, 2006

Posted by Andy Carroll in : Accidents , trackback

Friends and family of a scuba diver whose leg was sliced off by a boat propeller, have raised �6,000 to help his recovery. Mick Ward is recovering from horrific injuries he suffered when he was struck by a boat during a scuba diving trip at the Farne Islands off the Northumbria coast. The 39-year-old from Loughborough lost his left leg below the knee and suffered severe injuries to his right leg. The assistant diving instructor with Ratae Diving Club, in Shepshed, has been wheelchair- bound since the scuba diving incident in August.

A benefit night was held at Burleigh Community College, Loughborough, last weekend. Money raised will go towards buying Mick a wheelchair and converting part of his home. The event was organised by Mick’s brothers-in-law, Idolo and Felice Zollino, and supported by more than 400 people.

Mr Ward, a father-of-two who has been unable to work since the accident, said: “I’m a little bit lost for words with all the people who turned out and the incredible sum of money that was raised. “A lot of people have given up a lot of time to help me and my family. “I’ve spent a lot of time in hospital since the scuba diving incident but now I’ve been allowed home for good and it was great to be able to go out again with my friends and family and a have a really good time. It’s something I’ve missed.”

Mrs Ward thanked her brothers as well as her sister-in-law, Louise Zollino, and her friend, Susan Taylor, who helped organise the benefit night.

“A lot of people from the scuba diving club turned up and their were the parents of the lads who play on my son’s Rugby team. “Everyone has been very generous.” Mr Ward said he planned to return to diving as soon as he is able and he wanted an artificial leg to replace his lost limb. His wife, Maria, said: “People have been tremendously supportive of us since Mick’s accident.

“Mick has been brilliant in the way he has faced this. He has been determined to make the best of things.”

Source: CDNN