I’m the luckiest man alive! al
Tears of joy as soldier who was shot in head by sniper weds his teenage sweetheart
Hero soldier who survived being shot in head weds childhood sweetheart
A BRAVE soldier who survived being shot in the head while serving in Afghanistan has married his childhood sweetheart in a fairytale castle wedding.
Craig Paterson suffered critical injuries when he was shot by a sniper during a firefight in 2013.
The bullet passed through his helmet and skull, causing a devastating exit wound at the back of his head.
Doctors feared he wouldn’t make it, but the battling 27- year- old fought his way back to health to enable him to marry Louise Dalgarno, who stood by him throughout the harrowing ordeal, yesterday.
“Louise means everything to me,” he beamed, resplendent in a Black Watch kilt. “She’s been my saviour.” There was, however, one notable guest missing from the happy day, staged at a 500-yearold castle.
After Craig was shot, his life was saved by Michelle Ping, a Royal Navy reservist who braved a hail of enemy fire to give Craig first aid.
She shielded his body with her own while the enemy continued firing, which earned her a mention in despatches.
Her citation stated she “undoubtedly saved the life of the Highlander”.
Michelle, who has since visited Craig several times, was to be guest of honour at the occasion, but was unable to attend after having a baby last week.
The lifesaver is still in hospital after the early birth.
However, speaking to The Sunday Post before her own medical d ra m a earlier this month, she said: “We’re now great friends.
“Some patients you never forget.”
Craig was just weeks into a tour of Helmand in 2013 when he a nd a number of other troops became pinned down by enemy fire while on a roof.
Incredibly, after he was shot, Craig continued to return fire until he blacked out and collapsed from h is devastating injury.
He lost a large part of his skull, which has now been replaced with a titanium plate.
After the battlefield first aid carried out by Michelle, he was evacuated to Kandahar where he was operated on.
He spent three days in an induced coma before being flown back to Britain.
He spent a month in a Birmingham hospital before being transferred to a military rehab unit in Surrey for seven months, where he was told his stubborn Scottish nature helped his speedy recovery.
He lost much of the power in his right- hand side, meaning he had to endure months of physiotherapy with caring Louise, 25, at his side.
Mentally, he faced a massive battle to readjust.
But all that was forgotten yesterday when devoted husband Craig laid eyes on Louise in her wedding dress for the first time, prompting an outpouring of happy tears from well-wishers.
“I couldn’t be happier,” said Craig after the ceremony. “I’m the luckiest man alive. My wife is beautiful, just stunning.”
The former 4Scots private – who began dating his wife after meeting her at Inverurie Academy in Aberdeenshire, added: “I wouldn’t have survived so well without her.
“She has been my rock and I
Louise has been my saviour
want to spend the rest of my life with her.”
Yesterday’s wedding took place at Logie Country House, in their home town of Inverurie.
The ancient castle dates back to 1492 and is set amid 130 acres of beautiful countryside.
Primary school teacher Louise was stunning in a lace wedding gown. She wore a stylish chignon hairstyle complimented by her beautiful veil falling gently over her shoulder.
She looked at Craig and said: “I’ve married the man of my dreams, the man I love,
“It was love at first sight and we are destined to be together.
“I am so proud to be marrying Craig. When doctors told him he wouldn’t walk again he kept going till he could.
“He was so determined to get back to normal.
“When Craig’s mum Alison and I were told he was injured, doctors didn’t know if he would survive the journey back to the UK.
“His survival has delighted everyone.
“But none of it would be possible without Michelle. We owe her everything.
“She went above and beyond the call of duty to save Craig and we are for ever grateful. It’s such a shame she couldn’t be here. ”
As Craig kissed his new bride, the long scar above his left ear served as a visible reminder of how close he came to death.
Looking on was Craig’s mother, Alison, a nurse.
She was bursting with pride as he stood in his navy blue and green army kilt which had been kept carefully for the big day.
She said: “This is the day we all dreamed of.
“I couldn’t wish for a better wife for our Craig.
“Louise and her family have been with him all the way since he was shot.
“Being a nurse gave me a greater insight into the battle he had to fight to survive.
“Craig was in an induced coma while he recovered.
“He has recovered remarkably well after such serious injuries. He woke from the coma as Craig and we are eternally grateful.
“We couldn’t be prouder of the way he has worked tirelessly to learn to walk again.
“We know we have been incredibly lucky having him with us today.
“Seeing him and Louise so happy together gives us all great joy.”
Craig said he was sorry lifesaving Michelle couldn’t be there to witness his big day.
“Without Michelle I wouldn’t be alive today,” said Craig. “She risked her own life to shield me from further bullets.
“I owe her my life.”