'Medics who saved my husband's life are incredible'

The wife of a father-of-two who was hit by a car and left with life-changing injuries said the surgeons who saved his life were "absolutely incredible".

Lewis Rimmer, 41, was struck by a Range Rover in the car park of a Sainsbury's store after going to buy a lottery ticket in Bromley Cross, Bolton, on 27 October.

He was airlifted to Royal Preston hospital, where he spent weeks on life support and had more than 40 hours of surgery, including the amputation of his left foot.

His wife Sarah Rimmer, 37, said: "It's going to be difficult when he comes home with his injuries. He's learning to do things differently through rehab and physio, but we're all just keeping a really positive attitude."

Sarah added Lewis would be in hospital "for a good few weeks yet" because the surgeons have "had a lot of work to do".

"They saved his life, basically. They're all just incredible and continuing to be so."

On the day of the incident, Lewis had taken the afternoon off work to celebrate the birthday of his eldest daughter.

Driving straight from the car garage where he works, he met his wife and their two daughters, aged five and 10, at a cafe close to their home in Bolton.

He was hit just minutes after buying the lottery ticket and waving goodbye to his family.

Lewis was left him with a broken pelvis, fractures to both femurs, a compound fracture to his right shin and severe damage to his left foot, which could not be saved.

He has had seven operations. The two operations on his legs lasted 10 hours each as the limbs were "completely crushed to pieces", Sarah said.

She said she would like to do something to say thank you to the staff at the Royal Preston Hospital.

She said added she "was not sure how you can ever repay someone" who had done what they had done for Lewis.

"I need to have a think about it. But I just know I do want to do something."

Lewis has now been in hospital for 12 weeks.

Sarah has been to see him every day, and their daughters also visit as often as they can.

"Our daughter was 10 the day after the accident happened, so he completely missed it.

"But we'll make up for it when he comes home. We'll have a big party then."

A 56-year-old man was later arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving whilst unfit through drugs.

He has been bailed pending further enquiries.

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