I remember queuing up and feeling nervous. I only knew that something was wrong when we hit the ground. It was an awful lot of blood
SCHOOLBOY’S BRAVERY HAILED AFTER
Heather Greenaway With his infectious grin and twinkling eyes, it is hard to believe that Liam Boyle was lying seriously ill in hospital facing the prospect of losing his arm just 10 weeks ago.
The 11-year- old’s right hand was almost severed in the rollercoaster crash at M& D’s theme park in Motherwell and, for a while, doctors feared they would need to amputate.
Surgeons at Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children managed to save Liam’s arm and, although his road to recovery will be a long one, the brave schoolboy, from King’s Park, Glasgow, is getting stronger by the day.
He was one of 10 people injured when their packed Tsunami carriage shot off the rails at the theme park and hurtled 30ft to the ground and has been praised for his bravery in the aftermath of the accident in June.
Bystanders Robert McCutcheon and Iain Holms rushed to his aid and described Liam as “the bravest boy in the world” for staying calm despite his injuries. His family admit his attitude has played a huge part in his recovery. After hearing about his courage, Sunday Mail readers have been nominating the Holyrood pupil for a Great Scot Unsung Hero Award.
Speaking about thee accident for the first time,, Liam, who ha d si x operations to rebuild hiss right hand and arm usingg tissue from his left thigh,, knows he’s lucky to be alive..
He said: “I will neverr forget that day. I thinkk about it over and over. I remember queuing for thee ride and feeling nervous. I had been on the ride beforee but not that day. “I only knew something was wrong when wee hit the ground. The people that helped me weree lovely. We were joking about football and I toldd them about my dog.
“They stayed with me until the ambulancee came and I spoke to them on the phone whenn I was in hospital to thank them.
“I don’t think of myself as brave. They helpedd me stay calm. There was lots of blood but I didn’t know how serious it was until a few days later. I don’t like seeing blood now.”
The Celtic fan, who was enjoying a day out at M&D’s with his friend, James McLean, 12, added: “It was hard being in hospital and I was really pleased when I got out after a month.
“It still gets sore and there are so many wires and metal rods in my hand that it’s a bit like being Iron Man or the Terminator.
“It is really nice that so many people think I am brave and I am very happy to be nominated for an award.
“People have been great. I got lots of cards and messages including one from Celtic’s Scott Brown and Scott Allan. Patrick Roberts’ girlfriend has also been in touch.
“I really hope I will be able to play football
It is really nice that so many people think I am brave
and swingball again soon as I miss doing sports. I know I am lucky to be here and to have my hand. I cannot thank the doctors enough.
“One thing is for sure – I will never go on another rollercoaster.”
Liam’s mum Mary Jo admitted the past months have been awful.
She said: “My mobile went and Liam’s number flashed up. I thought he was ringing to tell me to come and pick him and his friend James up from M&D’s.
“I got the shock of my life when a woman’s voice told me Liam had come off the rollercoaster and she had found his phone.
“She told me his hand was in a bad way and they were waiting on the ambulance. I phoned Liam’s dad John and he rushed straight to the park. I went to the hospital. Adrenalin kicked in. I didn’t know what to expect.
“Seeing the extent of Liam’s injuries was shocking. His hand was attached and no more and he had a gash on his leg which went down to the bone and needed two layers of stitching.”
The 36-year-old hairdresser, who is also mum to Owen, 14, added: “We knew there was every chance that his hand would need amputated as all the tendons and muscles had been destroyed and some of the bone was missing.
“The operation to reattach it took four hours. It was the most anxious four hours of our lives but the surgeon was incredible.
“His next surgery lasted 11 hours as they grafted a skin flap from his thigh on to his arm. He was in intensive care for several days. Liam