Moldovan boy home after surgery

Vasily Paliy is back in Moldova for Christmas

A Moldovan teenager brought to Devon after losing both his arms in an accident has returned home.

Vasily Paliy, 13, suffered the dreadful injuries when he was suffered a severe electric shock at his home village in Moldova.

Facing a life of poverty in the former Soviet republic after the accident, he became suicidal.

But thanks to Devon charity Christian Response, he was brought to the UK for surgery and to have artificial limbs fitted.

Over the last few months, doctors in London have been working without charge to make new arms for Vasily.

With the first of those now fitted, he has returned to Moldova to spend time with his family over Christmas and catch up on the schooling he has missed.

But he is due to return to Devon in the spring to have a second arm made to help him live an independent life.