A hero who helped comfort an 11-year-old victim of the M&D's rollercoaster crash says it is a miracle that the youngster's hand has been saved by surgeons.
Paul McFadden, 34, rushed to the aid of victims in the horrific theme park crash after a rollercoaster carriage derailed on Sunday afternoon.
Witnesses likened the incident at M&D's theme park in Strathclyde Park, Motherwell, Lanarkshire, to "something out of a horror film".
Nine people remain in hospital after the Tsunami ride derailed and plummeted 20ft to the ground, where it collided with a ride for young children below.
At the scene, Paul comforted little Liam Boyle, 11, who is among the smash victims and was on the rollercoaster when it derailed.
Liam suffered serious injuries to his right hand in the crash, for which he last night (SUN) underwent lengthy surgery in hospital.
An update this morning from Liam's granddad, Thomas Campbell, confirmed the surgery had been a success.
And Paul, from Grangemouth in Stirlingshire, said it is a "miracle" doctors have saved the youngster's hand and arm.
He said: "I honestly thought his hand would be gone. It was carnage.
"You could see the full bone at his wrist. His hand was hanging right off - like off his arm. I was holding his left hand and kept him distracted.
"It's a miracle the surgeons have managed to save it. God knows how long it will take to properly heal though.
"He has obviously gone through hell on what should have been his first fun day of school holidays."
It is understood Liam will require further surgery tomorrow (Tue).
Paul, who had gone to M&D's with partner Lisa Richardson, 34, son Andrew Richardson, two, and eight-year-old niece Grace Eve Anderson, has now set up a fundraising page for Liam and the other crash victims.
He said: "I feel like it's my duty now to make sure he is ok.
"I've spoken to his mum and I'm going to visit him at the hospital once he's up for visitors.
"I have set up the fundraising page to help the victims, it's the least I can do."
In addition to creating the fundraising page generous Paul has also bought a new phone and jumper for the 11-year old.
He said: "His phone was all smashed after the crash. I know what boys are like wanting to play games and things so I know he will be wanting a new one.
"And his jumper was all cut up from the carriage so I went out to get him a new one."
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules here