Gardener who lost leg speaks out

8:00am Friday 5th September 2008

A self-employed gardener who lost a leg when he was run over by a mower has vowed to keep his business operating.

Speaking from his bed at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital yesterday, Alastair McKnight, 64, from Chipping Norton, said he was determined to make as full a recovery as possible.

Last month, he was driving a tractor which was towing a mower at the Great Tew Estate, east of Chipping Norton, when the right-hand rear wheel struck something and sent him flying from his seat.

As the tractor pinned him to the ground, the mower tore into his left leg and arm.

Patrick Stanley, 58, who was working with him, rushed to his friend's aid and called the emergency services.

Mr McKnight was taken to hospital by the air ambulance.

He said: "I can't work out exactly what happened, but I certainly know the end result.

"The tractor struck a stump or something and lifted the wheel up - I was thrown off and blacked out. When I came to, I was badly trapped and I could see my leg was off.

"The rotor was still going. It happened so fast there was no opportunity to escape at all.

"It must have repeatedly chopped my leg. I don't know, I haven't asked.

"But I remember thinking 'if the blade doesn't stop soon, it's going to have my head'."

Moments later the tractor cut out - possibly because it had fallen on its side and the engine had been starved of fuel.

Since the accident, Mr McKnight has made a steady recovery but is unsure when he will be able to be fitted with a prosthetic leg.

During his first fortnight in hospital, he underwent two major operations - both lasted more than 10 hours.

He suffered a broken right arm and punctured lung and needed 18 units of blood.

His left leg was amputated above the knee and the bones, skin and tendons from his left foot were grafted into his left wrist and hand, which were slashed by the mower blades.

Despite his ordeal, Mr McKnight - who will need another operation on his left hand in the coming weeks - is upbeat.

He said: "It could have happened anywhere in the world - I think I'm lucky when you think of the poor sods who tread on landmines in Africa. I've received first class care."

Mr McKnight thanked everyone who had played a part in saving his life and had sent messages of support to him and his wife, Angela, 70.

He said: "It's been a fantastic comfort. I know I have got a hill to climb, but I'm determined."

Mr McKnight's business, A McKnight Forestry and Fire Wood, supplies wood to more than 400 homes.

He said: "I want to let all my customers know it's business as usual. My friends and colleagues who have helped me in the past will be delivering the wood."

The Health & Safety Executive is investigating the accident.