Nathan has developed great upper body strength

Nathan Stephens, from Bridgend, made a remarkable recovery from the accident and now, at 16, is now one of Wales' most promising disabled athletes.

He excels at six sports and wants to compete at both the summer and winter Paralympics.

He says he has "no regrets" about his accident.

Despite becoming a double amputee, he feels he has not missed out, and has been awarded the title of GB Junior Athlete of the Year.

I feel my quality of life has got better since the accident and losing my legs Athlete Nathan Stephens

Nathan was playing on a railway line on his ninth birthday when he slipped, became stuck, and was hit by a train.

"I feel my quality of life has got better since the accident and losing my legs," he said.

"I've met a great bunch of lads, and I'm doing much better in sport than I would have done otherwise.

"I've got no regrets really."

Whereas sport - particularly rugby and football - were no more than a hobby for Nathan as a child, it soon became the main thing in his life.

He concentrated on developing his upper body strength and discovered he had a talent for a wide range of sports, including swimming, athletics, and sledge hockey.

Sledge hockey is a fast and furious sport

At the recent British Junior Championships - his first major competition - he won three gold medals and set two new records.

Nathan, from Kenfig Hill, finished fourth in the London Junior Marathon, and has already represented Wales at swimming.

One of his great passions is the fast-moving sport of sledge hockey, and he is the youngest member of the Great Britain squad.

He trains each week with his side, the Cardiff Huskies, and thoroughly enjoys the sport.

"Sledge hockey is fast, aggressive, and just as rough as normal ice hockey," he explained.

"When you're sitting down in the sled, everyone is on a level playing field, no matter what disability you've got.

"I'm the smallest in the team, so I'm the one least likely to get hit!"

He has to train hard every day

Coach Anthony Hughes has no doubt Nathan will do well in whatever sport he chooses.

"I'm very lucky, because I spend a lot of my life meeting youngsters who are going to go on to great things, but he is exceptional," he said.

Lloyd Upsdell, a double paralympic gold medallist, was just as enthusiastic.

"He's a good lad and he's got a good head on his shoulders," he said.