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Newmarket footballer loses legs in hit-and-run | Newmarket footballer loses legs in hit-and-run |
(about 17 hours later) | |
A footballer who went to help a friend in a broken-down car has had both his legs amputated after a hit-and-run driver crashed into their vehicles. | A footballer who went to help a friend in a broken-down car has had both his legs amputated after a hit-and-run driver crashed into their vehicles. |
Shaun Whiter went to help Joey Abbs with a flat tyre in Newmarket on Friday night. Both men were pinned against their cars when the vehicle hit them. | Shaun Whiter went to help Joey Abbs with a flat tyre in Newmarket on Friday night. Both men were pinned against their cars when the vehicle hit them. |
Mr Whiter, 27, who was due to begin training with Newmarket Town FC, has lost both legs below the knee. | Mr Whiter, 27, who was due to begin training with Newmarket Town FC, has lost both legs below the knee. |
Mr Abbs, who plays for Soham, sustained a "serious" leg injury. | Mr Abbs, who plays for Soham, sustained a "serious" leg injury. |
The Newmarket player, who works as an estate agent in Stansted, is due to marry his fiancee Charlotte Way next July and has vowed to "walk down the aisle". | The Newmarket player, who works as an estate agent in Stansted, is due to marry his fiancee Charlotte Way next July and has vowed to "walk down the aisle". |
More news from Suffolk | |
The crash happened on Dullingham Road, in the Suffolk town at 22:55 BST. | The crash happened on Dullingham Road, in the Suffolk town at 22:55 BST. |
Mr Abbs' Vauxhall Astra had a flat tyre and, as reported in the Cambridge News, he pulled up on a pavement and called his friend for help. | Mr Abbs' Vauxhall Astra had a flat tyre and, as reported in the Cambridge News, he pulled up on a pavement and called his friend for help. |
Mr Whiter came to his aid, parking his black BMW 320 behind. | Mr Whiter came to his aid, parking his black BMW 320 behind. |
A Ford Focus then crashed into Mr Whiter, who was standing behind his vehicle. | A Ford Focus then crashed into Mr Whiter, who was standing behind his vehicle. |
The force shunted the BMW forward, pinning Mr Abbs between the two cars. | The force shunted the BMW forward, pinning Mr Abbs between the two cars. |
The Ford Focus driver did not stop at the scene, Cambridgeshire Police said. | The Ford Focus driver did not stop at the scene, Cambridgeshire Police said. |
The force described Mr Abbs' injuries as "serious". | The force described Mr Abbs' injuries as "serious". |
The secretary of Newmarket Town FC confirmed both of Mr Whiter's legs had been amputated. | The secretary of Newmarket Town FC confirmed both of Mr Whiter's legs had been amputated. |
"He was due to begin pre-season training this evening. We are in shock, absolutely devastated," he told the BBC. | "He was due to begin pre-season training this evening. We are in shock, absolutely devastated," he told the BBC. |
Both Newmarket FC and Cambridgeshire club Soham Town Rangers have tweeted their support for the players, describing them as "great guys". | Both Newmarket FC and Cambridgeshire club Soham Town Rangers have tweeted their support for the players, describing them as "great guys". |
A Crowdfunding page set up by a friend to help both men has raised almost £6,000. | A Crowdfunding page set up by a friend to help both men has raised almost £6,000. |
Ms Way has also set up a fundraising page to help pay for "equipment and aftercare" for her fiancé. | Ms Way has also set up a fundraising page to help pay for "equipment and aftercare" for her fiancé. |
Writing on his Facebook page on Monday night, Mr Whiter said: "It's an amazing feeling knowing each and every one of you are there for support and thank you so much. | Writing on his Facebook page on Monday night, Mr Whiter said: "It's an amazing feeling knowing each and every one of you are there for support and thank you so much. |
"We are 100% fighting to get out of this place and will be with you shortly, but again please keep the visiting up, we love it #warriors." | "We are 100% fighting to get out of this place and will be with you shortly, but again please keep the visiting up, we love it #warriors." |