Crash survivor Joe joins relay (From Witney Gazette)

Crash survivor Joe joins relay

7:00pm Thursday 12th July 2012 in News

AFTER carrying the Olympic Torch through Theale in Berkshire yesterday, Joe Robinson thanked nursing staff who saved his life following a devastating car crash.

Mr Robinson, 21, from Thame, broke almost every bone in his body in the crash on the A34 Oxford bypass near Wytham, in 2009.

Mr Robinson was given a three per cent chance of survival and remained in a coma for four weeks.

But 11 months later he organised a cycle ride from Paris to the John Radcliffe Hospital, raising £37,000 for the neuro intensive care unit.

Mr Robinson, pictured, now a student at Exeter University, said: “Nurses at the JR nominated me to run and without them, I wouldn’t have been able to carry the torch today.

Gabriella Houseman, 17, from Wallingford, carried the torch through Newbury. She has represented Great Britain at fencing.

Mr Robinson and Miss Houseman are two of Games sponsor Cola Cola’s 1,300 Future Flames, selected as inspirational young people to carry the flame.

Caroline Hurley, 39, from Didcot, a role model for deaf people playing sports, carried the flame through The Winterbornes near Salisbury.