Northern Ireland

Co Antrim man who had leg amputated after Thailand accident returns to family home

Ross Davidson pictured at his family home in Carrickfergus with his father Andrew
Ross Davidson pictured at his family home in Carrickfergus with his father Andrew Ross Davidson pictured at his family home in Carrickfergus with his father Andrew

A Co Antrim man who had to undergo a leg amputation after a motorbike accident in Thailand is back at his family home after being discharged from hospital.

Ross Davidson (23) suffered serious injuries to his right leg when the scooter he was riding while on holiday in the Pai area crashed in early December.

Doctors had to amputate above the knee after life-threatening sepsis set in.

His parents Andrew and Desna flew out to be with their son, a former pupil of Carrickfergus Grammar School and graduate of Liverpool John Moores University.

Despite taking out two insurance policies before his trip, only one insurer said it may pay out some funds towards the medical bills.

In a bid to raise money to help his recovery, a JustGiving page was set up which has so far collected more than £21,000.

Earlier this month, four weeks on from the accident and after 13 operations and more than 50 blood transfusions, Mr Davidson was flown back to Northern Ireland to continue his treatment at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

And after spending just 10 days in hospital, the young man was this week allowed to return to his family home in Carrickfergus.

Speaking to the Irish News yesterday, Andrew said it was "just brilliant" to have his son back home, describing how he had come on "leaps and bounds" in recent days.

"That was our main target," he said.

"Initially, it was get him home to Belfast. Once we had him back, we wanted him home. It has been amazing."

Mr Davidson said receiving the news of his son's accident had been "devastating", revealing that doctors had told Ross his life was at risk if he did not have the amputation.

"You are being told by people, who don't speak English well, and trying to read between the lines," he said.

"Once he mentioned sepsis - you associate with people dying - we just thought he needs to get the leg amputated. The good thing is Ross made that decision himself."

His son remains "determined" about his recovery and is just four weeks away from his first limb fitting at Musgrave Park Hospital.

"He is very very strong-willed and positive," Mr Davidson said.

"He is planning to go back to Thailand and finish his holiday. He said he has people to go back and thank. He is just being so positive about the whole thing.

"It is not going to hold Ross back. Ross's life has changed now but it hasn't gone backwards, it's only changed direction".

He thanked all those who had helped and supported his family.

"I can't even think of the words to thank people," he said.

"It wasn't even money it was people sending messages and support we were passing on to Ross. Every day, we were getting a wee message and it kept us going. That meant Desna and I were able to stay positive and keep his spirits up.

"Without the support, the journey we had would have been so much more difficult."

Donations to the Ross Davidson fund can be made at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/helprossdavidson