Bride-to-be loses legs in accident

A bride-to-be had to have both legs amputated after an accident on a three-wheeled motorcycle.

Dawn Auty, 42, was being taken to her wedding in Blackpool on the motorcycle when her wedding dress became caught up between the engine and the back wheels.

Both legs were seriously damaged when paramedics arrived and had to be amputated at the scene, the ambulance service said.

The groom has told the BBC Ms Auty also has terminal cancer.

It was horrific and I'm still suffering from shock myself Tony Robinson, Lancashire fire service

Ms Auty is now in a stable condition in hospital.

The motorcycle driver escaped uninjured.

Ms Auty lived on Kent Road in the resort - just 400 yards from the church where the ceremony was to take place.

It is thought the stong winds blew the train of the dress into the machinery of the trike.

The area around the scene of the accident on Albert Road was cordoned off by police to help emergency crews.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service assistant divisional officer Tony Robinson said he had "never seen anything like it".

He said: "She was conscious throughout but was in shock and remained very quiet. The only time she was vocal was when we tried to move her and she screamed in pain.

"It was horrific and I'm still suffering from shock myself.

"This would be a terrible accident at any time but for it to happen on what is supposed to be a happy day - you just can't think of anything worse."

When the first paramedic crew arrived, the lady's legs were literally hanging by a thread. Ron Stewart, Lancashire Ambulance Service

Ron Stewart, operational supervisor with Lancashire Ambulance Service, said the quick reactions of paramedics saved Ms Auty's life.

He said: "When the first paramedic crew arrived, the lady's legs were literally hanging by a thread.

"The paramedics did very well to stabilise her and get a... line to give fluids and pain relief.

"The doctors then came from Blackpool Victoria Hospital and basically gave her blanket pain relief and cut the skin which was holding her legs in place.

"The work of the paramedics in stabilising the lady was crucial as she could easily have gone into fatal trauma."