Bridge amputee in school return

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Jade's legs were amputated two months ago

A 15-year-old girl who lost both of her legs after getting them trapped in a swing bridge has returned to school for the start of the new term.

Jade Smethurst said she was determined to get on with her life after the accident, which happened by a canal in Droylsden, Greater Manchester, in June.

She returned to Wright Robinson College in east Manchester just two months after surgery to remove her legs.

Head Neville Beischer said: "She is a marvellous girl - a real fighter."

Jade was with friends at the stretch of canal off Buxton Lane when the accident happened on 20 June.

The heavy steel bridge swung back against her legs, trapping her against the bank.

I started crying and then when I had the operation I wanted my legs back Jade Smethurst

Asked what she remembers of the accident, Jade told BBC News: "I was just shocked and I was crying for my mum. Then the ambulance came about 20 minutes later."

She was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary where she underwent an emergency amputation of her legs below the knee.

"I started crying and then when I had the operation I wanted my legs back," she added.

But after a period of recovery in Booth Hall Children's Hospital, Jade returned home determined to return to school and get back to normal.

She said: "I'm just looking forward to the future now. I just want to get going again."

Pupils returned to the specialist sports and arts college in Gorton on Wednesday.

Head teacher Mr Beischer added: "[Jade] is very popular with the other youngsters and I think she has shown by the speed of her recovery just how determined she is about her life."

An investigation into the incident carried out by British Waterways and police concluded it was an accident.