Boat accident surgeon plans work return

Mr Lyons wants to return to surgery soon

A surgeon who nearly had his arm severed in a water-skiing accident while on holiday has said he hopes to be back at work in April.

Andrew Lyons was on holiday in Majorca in July with his family when he was hit by the propeller of a boat being driven by his wife, Francoise.

Mr Lyons, from Sevenoaks, Kent, is an oral and facial surgeon at London' Guy's Hospital.

He said on Tuesday that he had set himself a target of being back at work in the spring.

He said: "I am aiming to be back at work in April. I was aiming in fact for February but I think the elbow was a little more difficult than my surgeon thought.

For an 11-year-old child to see his father with his arm shattered and cuts down his chest and arm and bleeding to death in the water is something I wish I could reverse Andrew Lyons

"I think probably there is more nerve damage than was originally anticipated and February was optimistic.

"My colleagues and the trust have been very supportive and I am obviously very keen to get back to work.

Mr Lyons, who will be 47 years old on Christmas Day, said his return was probably dependent on a nerve graft operation which he is due to have.

At the time of the accident, Mr Lyon's son, John, was praised for his presence of mind when he turned off the boat's engine which probably saved his father's life.

The 11-year-old was picked as one of 12 children of courage at an award ceremony earlier in December because of his quick-thinking.

But his father said he wished his son had not seen him so badly injured.

He said: "The worse thing about it was seeing my son and although you cannot take away his heroic actions he was incredibly distressed at the time.

"For an 11-year-old child to see his father with his arm shattered and cuts down his chest and arm and bleeding to death in the water is something I wish I could reverse."