A MAN who lost his leg following a horrific crash with a tractor is determined to get back into sport.

Chris Harriss, 30, from Colchester, was travelling home from visiting his mother in Dovercourt when he crashed in Colchester Road, Ardleigh, in 2014.

The support worker says  the tractor did not idicate and he smashed in to its side.

He said: "My left leg was severely fractured in three places, my left hand was fractured and I lost two pints of blood.

"I have screws in my hand and permanent nerve damage. I had a titanium rod from knee to ankle to keep me up.

"My leg was getting worse by the day, I was told my foot was deformed. I could barely walk without stopping and being in agony."

He went back to work as a support worker with Pathways for Care six months after the accident, working night shifts, but the pain was too much.

Still, he was determined to keep active, and after a legal case following the accident, he is well on his way.

He added: "Before this accident I've always been a very active person and trained in Muay Thai.

"Why would I sit around feeling sorry for myself? I did not want to waste my youth having countless operations just for my leg to be amputated at a further date if all fails.

"I was told my amputation would finally be at Colchester General Hospital in 2017, but they said it was not happening due to my legal matter."

It has been a frustrating time, but his 10-year-old daughter, Layla, is his drive and has helped push him forward.

He said: "I have medical reports to prove how bad my leg was but despite all this I believe I was always treated unfairly, and no one wanted to deal with the seriousness of my situation just because I constantly pushed forward with life instead of sitting around.

"I was referred to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge to see a fifth reconstructive surgeon and within one appointment he realised the extent of my injuries and agreed to amputate as soon as he could."

He has his leg amputated on Monday.

He added: "I was over the moon and Addenbrooke's have been absolutely amazing, even though my operation was postponed another two times, making it seven cancellations in total.

"I'm extremely grateful to be alive and very lucky not to have permanent spine or brain injuries.

"I promised my daughter I will run again and I've never broken a promise. When I'm fully recovered I will have a blade so I can get back into my sports and running.

"My legal case is now over and I can settle again with my daughter and crack on with life. I wanted to get my story out because it just goes to show, sometimes If you push forward with life with major injuries no professional cares to help until it's too late, but If you was to sit and do nothing you will get help which is totally unacceptable."