A FORMER Burbage physical trainer and army helicopter engineer who lost his leg after being crushed by a car has got a pay out.

Now he has vowed to help others who have lost limbs by joining forces with the lawyers who fought for his settlement for Limb Loss Awareness Month.

Robert Norbury, 76, was helping to guide a car into a garage on private land when the vehicle accelerated suddenly. He was left pinned against the back wall and impaled on a shelf bracket.

Following the incident in 2018, he was taken to Swindon Hospital before then being airlifted to Southmead in Bristol. He needed an above-the-knee amputation on his right leg.

“The incident all happened so quickly. One minute the car engine was a slight hum then it turned into a roar. The next thing was I was pinned against the wall," said Robert who lives with wife Doreen.

“The past couple of years and trying to come terms with everything have been the most difficult of my entire life. I cannot thank enough Doreen and the rest of the family for their support. I’m determined not to let what happened define me and am doing everything I can to look to the future and keep positive.

“Losing a limb was completely devastating and there has been some hard times. However, I just hope that by speaking out others in a similar situation can feel positive and don’t feel they have to go through it alone. There is a lot of support out there.”

Claire Howard, serious injury expert at Irwin Mitchell, representing Robert, said: “Robert suffered truly devastating injuries in this incident and then had to face up to the reality that he would have to lose his left leg.

“It must have been incredibly difficult to go through that, but he has always shown immense courage as is determined to regain his independence.”

Limb Loss Awareness Month runs throughout April and aims to highlight how those affected are rebuilding their independence.