A FORMER president of Burbage and Eastern Royal British Legion who lost his leg after being crushed by a car has got a pay out.

Insurers of the driver admitted liability and paid out an undisclosed sum after the accident, which happened on private land, in 2018.

Robert Norbury, 76, was helping to guide a car into a garage when the vehicle accelerated suddenly.

He was left pinned against the back wall and impaled on a shelf bracket.

Following the incident, 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. His left leg was also badly injured.

“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 things 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.”

He will use the settlement to help him access the specialist limbs, support and therapies he requires. He may also need more surgery.

Now Robert, who is a former physical trainer and also served in the army as a helicopter engineer, 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.

“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 leg.

“It must have been incredibly difficult to go through that, but he has always shown immense courage.

“While Robert faces many challenges he is making great progress in his recovery. We are pleased to have secured this settlement which will fund the support he requires now and in the future.”