All my Olympic dreams were dashed the moment I was hit
9:43am Wednesday 2nd April 2008
AN Olympic hopeful who had his dreams of canoeing for Great Britain dashed when Willmott's car ploughed into him has spoken out about his ordeal.
Talented Andrew Wood, who in his short career had brought home medals home from across Europe, had his hopes ruined on that fateful night.
Mr Wood, aged 18, was with friend Joe Ridler when they were both hit by Willmott's car.
"I didn't see much of it as I had my back to the whole thing. I was stood by Joe and suddenly felt myself being shunted forward.
"I thought someone had pushed me from behind at first. I turned around to see what had happened and realised that there was nobody behind me. That's when I saw the smashed-up jag and the broken sign, lots of people on the floor, including my friend," he said.
Mr Ridler suffered shock and cuts, and Mr Wood saw him lying motionless on top of another victim on the pavement. "It was such a shock, I was really concerned about him, so spent my time with him making sure he was alright," he added.
But it was only a few hours later the Hallow resident discovered he was also badly hurt.
"We were both in the ambulance and I realised my back really hurt. I had cuts of my hands where I had braced myself. I was in complete shock. One guy's nose was broken, and another who was in the ambulance with us he just started throwing up blood," he said.
He also noticed doorman Dean Sanders being given oxygen and covered in blood.
Mr Wood, who was then studying at Worcester Sixth Form college, had spent most of his free time training with Worcester Canoe Club and was one of the top 10 junior canoeists in the country.
"I would have loved to have gone to the Olympics, that is what I was aiming for. I was training almost every night and had taken part in the National Championships a few weeks before where I picked up three medals, one gold and two bronze," he said.
However since the accident, he has been unable to train due to his back pain.
"I have tried since the accident but I just can't do it. Doctors don't think I will get any better. For me, it was pretty devastating as it was my life."
Mr Wood is now training to be an accountant and is trying to put the whole incident behind him.
"I really don't know how to feel about it all now. There is no point getting too wound up about it and I have tried to block it out my mind," he added.