HE may have shattered his leg, broken his shoulder and had to have part of his skull removed but nothing was going to stop Ipswich man Lee Nicholas from attending the birth of his baby.

HE may have shattered his leg, broken his shoulder and had to have part of his skull removed but nothing was going to stop Ipswich man Lee Nicholas from attending the birth of his baby.

It had been just seven days after Mr Nicholas was discharged from hospital following a horrific road accident that his girlfriend, Kirsten Senior, went into labour with their forth child.

Mr Nicholas, of Peppercorn Way in Stoke Park, had been crossing Wherstead Road in June when he was in a collision with a lorry which left him fighting for his life in Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.

Mr Nicholas said: “I don't remember any of it. I was crossing the road with a load of my mates on our way to Bourne Park.

“The next thing I knew I was waking up in a hospital bed and Kirsten was telling me it was three weeks later. I didn't believe her and it took my parents to convince me.”

While he had been unconscious doctors had to remove the part of Mr Nicholas' skull from the centre of his head down to his eyes.

His skull had been fractured in the crash and the impact had also caused pressure on his brain. His skull was removed to relieve the pressure.

Once awake, he also underwent surgery to put a metal plate in his thigh and a pin in his knee where it had been badly fractured.

Another operation was carried out to pop his shoulder blade back into place where the force of the impact had pushed it out and fractured it.

Mr Nicholas said: “I just wanted to get out of hospital once I had woken up and kept reminding staff that Kirsten's due date was coming soon.

“Eventually they let me out seven days before she went into labour and I got to go to the hospital with her on the big day.”

Demi was born on August 17 weighing 7lb 1oz and became the latest addition to the family, which also includes Jordan, 9, Harley, 6, and Alfie, 18 months.

Mr Nicholas added: “I want to let the lorry driver know he doesn't have to worry about me. I am getting back to normal and he certainly shouldn't feel guilty. I don't hold him responsible in anyway - it was just an accident.”

Mr Nicholas is due to return to Addenbrooke's Hospital on November 6 to have metal plates fitted to replace the missing parts of his skull.

Weblink: www.addenbrookes.org.uk; www.ipswichhospital.nhs.uk

AFTER two-and-a-half months Lee Nicholas was allowed out of hospital after suffering horrendous injuries which threatened his life.

He and his girlfriend are well aware of how lucky they have been and plan to repay the hospital that made it possible for him to return to his family.

They are now planning a sponsored walk to Felixstowe later in the year to raise funds so that others can receive the same caring treatment they did from Addenbrooke's Hospital.

Mr Nicholas said: “My life hasn't changed much since before the accident. My priorities are still with the kids and I don't have much time to think about anything else. I know I am lucky to have survived this and I have a lot to thank the hospital for.

“I couldn't believe it when I heard I had been involved in a crash with a lorry and was even more surprised to learn I had survived.

“A lot of people put in a lot of work to make sure I am here today.”

Mr Nicholas was originally taken to Ipswich Hospital following the accident on June 7 where he had to be resuscitated three times before he was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital.

He has endured three major operations and will return shortly for another one - this time to fit metal plates into his head.

He said: “I am still experiencing problems with my memory and am having problems focussing my eyes. But the hospital is hopeful these problems will correct themselves and I should get back to normal.”

Miss Senior said: “There is no way to repay both of the hospitals for what they have done for us. But we hope to raise some funds to help them help others.”

The walk will be held at the end of November, at a date to be fixed, and will leave from Stoke Bridge in the late morning.

Anyone who would like to join in or who would like to sponsor Miss Senior can contact her on 07913595029.

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