AN elite paratrooper who is battling serious injuries after a speed flying accident has been transported back to the UK after a fundraising bid neared £50,000.
Lance Corporal Lee Crudgington, 38, is being treated for a severed aorta and broken pelvis after the incident in the south of France.
The father-of-two, who has 17 years of service and is part of the British Army’s Red Devils parachute display team, was on holiday with his partner when he suffered an accident while speed flying.
He underwent a 12-hour surgery on his pelvis, with insurers unable to cover his fees.
Soldiers’ charity Support Our Paras is trying to raise £200,000 to cover his medical fees and repatriation costs.
With the appeal almost reaching £50,000 in days, the charity says the wounded soldier has been returned home.
The charity said: “We are delighted to report he is now safely back in the UK and being looked after by a specialist trauma team in London.
“He has a long road ahead of him, including having his pelvis reset and a number of procedures on his legs before he can start his rehabilitation, but we are very pleased that this can all be done back home in the UK.”
Katy, Lee's wife, said, "Thanks to Support our Paras we can now be back together with our children to begin the lengthy process with the support and love from family and friends."
The charity added: “A huge thank you to everyone who has donated towards the aeromed and medical bills so far.
“Support our Paras was fully committed from the start to supporting Lee‘s needs, but we have warmly welcomed the humbling outpouring of generosity and empathy towards one of our own which has since been shown.
“We will continue to be there to look after Lee and his family as he begins this next chapter of his recovery and beyond, no matter where that road might lead.”
Lee, who joined the 2 Para regiment in 2005 and served in Iraq and Afghanistan, is based at Merville Barracks in Colchester.
He is also a jump co-ordinator with the Red Devils.
The fundraising page can be found at www.justgiving.com.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here