A Bradford schoolboy who lost his leg in a stone yard accident is mobile again thanks to a new prosthetic limb.
Michael Wilkinson's right leg was crushed when he was dragged beneath the caterpillar tracks of a mechanical digger as he walked across Russell's stoneyard, in West Bowling, while on work experience. Doctors had to amputate the leg above the knee because it was so badly crushed.
After spending a month in hospital brave Michael, 15, pictured, returned home to the family home in Fenwick Drive, Woodside, and is on the move without crutches as he gets used to his new leg.
Proud mum Anita Hall, 37, said her son was looking positively to the future and she would be applying for a provisional driving licence for him after learning that disabled drivers could take their test at 16.
"To me he's no different to other 15-year-olds and the accident has not stopped him doing anything," she said.
"He has a wheelchair which he uses if he gets tired and he's got his prosthetic leg and is walking about without crutches. It's quite hard to regain balance after an amputation but Michael has done brilliantly.
"He is keen to learn to drive as it will give him independence. We are amazed at how he has coped - I expected it to be hard but it hasn't been."
Anita was relieved that Michael - who is still undergoing physiotherapy - had no psychological scars from the accident. She said he had also returned to the stoneyard with a friend. "The wound's healed really well and looks very healthy and he is very strong mentally," she said.
"He's even been to the gym with me to build his upper body and I'm going to make him a member there."
She now hopes her son will pursue his dream of becoming a stonemason by attending a course at York College.
When the accident happened, the Wyke Manor School pupil lay trapped for five minutes before his screams for help were heard. He had lost so much blood that he needed six transfusions to save his life. He said he was not yet sure if he would return to school in September.
Michael said: "I am finding it quite easy to get on with things since the accident. But I don't know what I want to do with my future yet."
Michael's speedy recovery has been boosted by visits from friends and support from his family, girlfriend Sherree Charlton, 14, and his 75-year-old grandmother who visited him in hospital every day.
The family are now planning a big party in September to raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance which - they believe - saved Michael's life.
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