VIDEO: He had reconstructive surgery
A Tiverton retained firefighter who had to leave his job after his hand was crushed in an industrial accident is back doing what he loves most, following innovative surgery.
Anthony Seward was 20 when his hand was destroyed in a huge mangle at a factory where he also worked.
Seven years on and his is back on call with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue.
He said: "I had loss of dexterity, loss of grip strength, I had amputations of all four finger tips, it was quite a serious de-gloving injury."
But choosing a new path in life studying strength and conditioning at university, Mr Seward took a grip test that made him realise he may be able to return to the fire service.
Now he is back on call with the fire service in Tiverton.
He said: "I wouldn't be in this position without the NHS, without the work that my surgeons did initially, the air ambulance and the ambulance service as well. I'm in this position because of them.
"I'm extremely grateful, there's nothing I feel that I can do to repay them but hopefully I can do good by being back in another time."
The film report here is from BBC Spotlight.
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