icScotland - Injured para 'proud' of torch relay
icScotland logo
icScotland News Sport icHomes
Search icScotland for:
Today's UK news
News  UK  Today's UK news  Article

Injured para 'proud' of torch relay

19:05, Jun 26 2012

 

Seriously-injured paratrooper Ben Parkinson was greeted like a rock star when he carried the Olympic Torch with thousands of people willing him on.

Every step Lance Bombardier Parkinson took with the flame in his home town of Doncaster, South Yorkshire, was cheered by the crowds which lined the 300m route.

The soldier, who is considered the most seriously-wounded soldier to survive the war in Afghanistan, was mobbed as he turned up for his 300m leg with the flame near the town centre.

People clamoured to have their photos taken with the 27-year-old and shake his hand.

Police had to hold back the crowds as he got out of his wheelchair to take over the torch close to the town's war memorial.

Using his prosthetic legs, he carefully walked his section of the relay supported by his physio - Robert "Shep" Shepherd - and was urged on by people ten deep on either side of the road.

In some of the most emotional scenes of the torch relay so far, the para walked even further than the distance he had been practising as hundreds of people shouted his name.

L/Bdr Parkinson finished the stretch in about 26 minutes and, after he handed the torch over to the next runner, he was inundated by well-wishers again.

"I am so proud," he said.

"I didn't realise how much support I had. I was amazed."

 
Leader of NAHT targets warning
Queen to get garden festival look
Scores hurt as car hits US parade
Pakistan politician gunned down
Crohn's patients slam hospital food
Activists attack PM on gay marriage
One in 10 'fell asleep at wheel'
Miliband pledges tax crackdown
Faith leaders back assisted dying
Ukip hits new high in opinion poll
Tories bid to smooth 'loons' furore
Governor warning on housing package
Cameron 'losing control' of party
I won't step down, insists Assad
Several blasts rock Libyan cities
Boys held over teenage 'drug' death
Ukip hits opinion poll high of 19%
Building society raiders sought
Police name drug death teenager
Headteachers cross swords with Gove
Top Top

Back Back

E-mail this article to a friend

Printable VersionPrintable version

 
News  UK  Today's UK news  Article
 


Copyright and Trade Mark Notice
© owned by or licensed to Scottish & Universal Newspapers Limited 2013.
icScotland™ is a trade mark of Scottish & Universal Newspapers Limited.
Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Statement before using this site.

 
Advertisements
 
Jobs in Scotland: