TIGHT SQUEEZE SAVES SAMSON
SAMSON JAMES is recovering in hospital after his quick-witted Milton Keynes Thunder teammates saved his life following a freak accident on the ice.
Giant defender James, 20, was bleeding to death after a skate blade cut through the tendons and artery in his left arm during Saturday’s National League South clash with rivals Slough.
The horrific incident happened five minutes from the end of the game at Solihull’s Planet Ice rink, where Thunder are playing home games because of the pandemic.
Back-up goalie Hayden Laverick darted off the bench as soon as he realised what had happened and squeezed Samson’s arm to stem the flow of blood and that almost certainly saved his life.
Alex White, Niall Simpson and the club medic also came to his aid before the ambulance arrived.
James, who returned to the UK earlier this year after two years in America, spent six hours in the operating theatre and now faces an anxious wait to discover whether he will ever play again. Thunder owner/manager Lauren Cox said: “The wound was down to the bone and he lost a lot of blood. He’s 20, only a baby, and it could be the end of his career if he doesn’t get back his grip strength.
“We are really hoping that isn’t the case but it will be months before they know for sure.
“I have seen a few other injuries but that’s the first life-threatening injury I have ever seen.”
Thunder have launched a Gofundme appeal to help with the costs of private physiotherapy for James.