A DANCER who had his leg amputated after being hit by a lorry is hoping to raise funds to buy a state-of-the-art prosthetic.
Sean Cahill, a performing arts and musical theatre student at Brighton Academy, was dragged underneath the 46-tonne truck for six feet.
The accident occurred in Hollingdean Road, Brighton, on September 23.
As a result, the aspiring performer had his right leg amputated below the knee.
A fundraising page to help raise money for therapy and a prosthetic leg to allow him to continue pursuing a career in performing arts was set up by Sean’s friend Isabelle Sapherson-Moralee.
The Gofundme page has raised more than £18,000 to date.
The 20-year-old said the money will help him get back on stage as soon as he can.
“I will be able to get the best prosthetic out there - some of them cost between £30,000 and £40,000,” he said.
“It has genuinely changed my life and means I can get back to what I love doing sooner.
“I cannot stress enough how incredible my support system has been. My family and friends have really been getting me through this though time.”
Sean said he thought he was “going to die” during the incident, but is now firmly focused on his recovery.
“I’m lucky to be alive - 95 per cent of people who get hit by one of those do not live to tell the tale,” he said.
“It’s not going to end my career as a performing artist and there’s no doubt in my mind that with the right recovery and physio, I will be able to get back on stage.
“I was supposed to go home today, but my wound hasn’t been healing the way it should be and so I will have to have another surgery.
“My physio is going well, I was able to get up and move around in a wheelchair yesterday.”
Sean, originally from Dorset, remains in hospital where he is receiving treatment.
His friend Isabelle said she set up the fundraising page to get Sean a state-of-the-art prosthetic leg that would allow him to continue dancing.
She said: “He’s danced ever since he was little and, I know I’m biased, but he is amazing.
“There is so much talent there and it’s just such a shame he’s had this set back.
“We want him to have a good prosthetic leg.”
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