The family of a teenager who lost a leg in a horrific accident on work experience have vowed to raise money for the air ambulance which they say saved his life.

Michael Wilkinson, 15, had to have his left leg amputated after he was dragged beneath the catepillar tracks of a vehicle at a stoneyard in Bradford.

Now the youngster's mother and step-father have pledged to raise money for the West Yorkshire Air Ambulance which airlifted him to hospital in time to save his life.

His mother Anita Hall, 37, said: "I have no doubt that Michael would have died had it not been for the air ambulance because he was losing so much blood. The air ambulance really deserves our support and I hope other people will help out too."

She was speaking as Michael recovers from his ordeal. He was trapped for five minutes beneath the vehicle at Russell's stoneyard in Ripley Street, West Bowling, Bradford, before the alarm was raised.

Michael, of Fenwick Drive, Woodside, Bradford, was airlifted to St James's Hospital in Leeds where he has already undergone a succession of operations. His leg was so badly damaged it had to be amputated above the knee and he had further surgery to clean up the wound.

He had a further operation to implant a machine to clean the wound and now faces hours of physiotherapy before he can have an artificial limb fitted, but he hopes to be home in about two weeks.

Michael, who enjoyed golf, rugby league and pool, said: "I'm doing OK. I'm just looking forward to going home ."

He was visited in hospital by Stuart Tighe, a former Dudley Hill amateur rugby league player who lost a leg in a road accident in 1997.

Michael, a pupil of Wyke Manor School, said: "He talked to me about his leg and the things he can do now and it helped me a lot. I'm grateful to him for coming."

Michael's step-father Andy Hall, 46, said: "It was great Stuart took time to visit Michael."

He said the family was already planning fundraising events in aid of Michael's future and of the the air ambulance.

"We are grateful for the support Michael has had from all sorts of people, from his headteacher to people who he chats to on the Internet," he said.

Michael hopes to continue playing golf but accepts that his rugby playing days are over. Andy said Michael's girlfriend Sherree Charlton was helping his recovery.

Michael's mother Anita Hall, who had a brain tumour removed and suffered a stroke 14 months ago and who is now studying for a degree in psychology and counselling at Bradford University, said the family was grateful to the air ambulance for saving his life.

The Health and Safety Executive is investigating the accident. Russell's stone merchants said it would be inappropriate to comment at this stage.