City soldier wounded in Afghanistan explosion
A brave soldier Norwich which was the fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan has suffered horrific injuries after his vehicle struck a bomb. Today, the fiancée of Lance Bombardier Paul Gray spoke today of his horror after hearing the man she loves is left with a fractured skull, spine and ribs after the explosion that occurred during a routine patrol in Helmand province. Lisa Athow, who lives in 25 years, Mr. Gray in North Norwich, said he was thrown to the ground when his vehicle which was travelling with a convoy of five vehicles, press an anti-tank mine on Saturday, July 12. The soldier, who is a member of 3 Royal Horse Artillery, based in Hohne, Germany, was ending its six months in Afghanistan in mid-September, but is now recovering in Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham provides medical support to military personnel. Miss Athow, who works for the ambulance service in the city, said: "It's a huge shock. You just have to wait for a phone call to tell you what happens. It takes several days for the news to sink in its very surreal. "We found yesterday that he had a fractured skull and he have a lot of tests. It is endless, we do not know how long it will be for the moment. "He decided to terminate the nurse to tell me he wanted to tell me himself. I did not really recognize who he was when he called because he was on a lot of morphine, and then it does not seem real, it was like a dream. " Mr. Gray lead role in Afghanistan is part of the operational mentoring Liaison Team (OMLT), a job normally done by special forces. Mr. Gray is also trained as a medical team on the ground and helped another soldier wounded after the explosion before realizing the seriousness of his injuries were clean. Both were taken to Camp Bastion hospital but Mr Gray 's injuries were so severe he was immediately flown to the United Kingdom. There were many wounded, including two fractures to his vertebrae and a fractured skull. But his doting 29-year-old bride said she realizes how lucky is that her future husband are not more serious injuries. She said: "I do not think people are really aware of how many soldiers are injured because it seeks only to be dead are reported - you've never heard of people who are maimed or wounded. "It is compos mentis and it is fortunate to be alive and lucky not to have lost any members - there are many soldiers who have. I am very happy to have it in one piece." Hospital staff have commented on how Miss Athow dedication to her husband-to-be, whom she has not left since his arrival at the hospital, helped his recovery. He made his first steps on Wednesday and is now physiotherapy. Mr. Gray was attached to the 1 Royal Irish battle group in Afghanistan. He joined the army first in April 2005 after being released after nine months of service with the RAF with a relatively minor ankle injury is now healed. He also spent time in the Air Corps training. The brave soldier is supposed to make a full recovery and he has not been medically discharged. Miss Athow said: "It will not be returning to Afghanistan because six months was due to serve will be completed by the time it is fairly well, and we will be married quarters and I am therefore the hope to be with him, although I will have to go back to my work. "I can not wait to marry. Even more now." The couple will tie the knot in December at a family ceremony in Hoveton. |
 Stumble It!
|
|
