THE first day back at work in the new millennium is a day Nick Jones will never forget.

When the 61-year-old left his home in Bromsgrove for a normal day at work he had no idea that his life would be changed forever by a tragic accident in which he was run over and had his legs crushed by a forklift truck.

Nick, who was an active sportsman and hill walker, spent seven months in Sandwell General Hospital where, despite the best efforts of surgeons, his left leg had to be amputated below the knee.

Risk

Five years later there is still a risk that Nick, who was a keen tennis and table tennis player, may lose his other leg.

Nick, who lives in south Bromsgrove, has not been able to work since and blames the accident for the break up of his marriage.

However, with the help of an artificial leg and a specially converted car, he retains some semblance of independence and continues to enjoy fishing.

"I cannot do many of the things that I once took for granted, but at least I can still fish for carp - although the river fishing that I used to love is impossible. With a struggle I can still play a game of snooker so it could be worse," he said.

"Following my accident my marriage broke up. My wife enjoyed the countryside and led a very active life. We used to do a lot of walking together in Wales and the relationship did not survive," said Nick, who has two grown up sons Craig and Darren from an earlier marriage.

"The boys are very good and we go out together. I also get help from neighbours and keep positive and as active as I can. When this happens it is so easy to simply give up and I have seen this happen to other people," he said.

After the accident Nick turned to Birmingham-based personal injury solicitors Levenes for help and has now received a payment of £520,000 from AvestaPolarit of Credenda Road, Oldbury, where he had worked for 17 years.

"This is the case of an active man who in a split second had not just his limbs, but his life shattered," said Tim Beasley, of Levenes. "We cannot give him his legs, his livelihood, his marriage or his former life back, but at least after six years he has the wherewithal to live in comparative security and will be able to buy a small bungalow so he can continue to look after himself in his own home.

"We hear so much rubbish about the so called claims culture, but I have never heard a client say that they would happily have the accident again for the money. It is a real privilege to be able to help someone like Nick who remains so chirpy and positive. I don't know how he does it - I couldn't."

Now Nick is looking to the future. He plans to spend part of his money visiting family in New Zealand later this year, even though he has never been further than Spain before.

l Please note: Nick Jones lives alone and is in poor health and requested that his identity was not revealed. Hence, Nick Jones is a pseudonym.