Footballer loses legs in hit-and-run

 

Image copyrightDAVID LEE

Image captionShaun Whiter was trying to help his friend with a flat tyre when the car smashed into them

A footballer who went to help a friend in a broken-down car has had both his legs amputated after a hit-and-run driver crashed into their vehicles.

Shaun Whiter went to help Joey Abbs with a flat tyre in Newmarket on Friday night. Both men were pinned against their cars when the vehicle hit them.

Mr Whiter, 27, who was due to begin training with Newmarket Town FC, has lost both legs below the knee.

Mr Abbs, who plays for Soham, sustained a "serious" leg injury.

The Newmarket player, who works as an estate agent in Stansted, is due to marry his fiancee Charlotte Way next July and has vowed to "walk down the aisle".

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The crash happened on Dullingham Road, in the Suffolk town at 22:55 BST.

Mr Abbs' Vauxhall Astra had a flat tyre and, as reported in the Cambridge News, he pulled up on a pavement and called his friend for help.

Image copyrightNEWMARKET TOWN FC

Image captionJoey Abbs, a Soham Town Rangers player who has also played for Newmarket, sustained "serious" leg injuries

Image copyrightGOOGLE

Image captionMr Whiter was due to start pre-season training at the Suffolk football club

Mr Whiter came to his aid, parking his black BMW 320 behind.

A Ford Focus then crashed into Mr Whiter, who was standing behind his vehicle.

The force shunted the BMW forward, pinning Mr Abbs between the two cars.

Image copyrightTWITTER

Image captionIsthmian League Division One North club Soham Town Rangers tweeted their support for both players

The Ford Focus driver did not stop at the scene, Cambridgeshire Police said.

The force described Mr Abbs' injuries as "serious".

Image copyrightSHAUN WHITER

Image captionMr Whiter is due to be married next July and has vowed to "walk down the aisle"

The secretary of Newmarket Town FC confirmed both of Mr Whiter's legs had been amputated.

"He was due to begin pre-season training this evening. We are in shock, absolutely devastated," he told the BBC.

Image copyrightTWITTER

Image captionEastern Counties League Premier Division side Newmarket Town FC described the payers as "great guys"

Both Newmarket FC and Cambridgeshire club Soham Town Rangers have tweeted their support for the players, describing them as "great guys".

A Crowdfunding page set up by a friend to help both men has raised almost £6,000.

Ms Way has also set up a fundraising page to help pay for "equipment and aftercare" for her fiancé.

Writing on his Facebook page on Monday night, Mr Whiter said: "It's an amazing feeling knowing each and every one of you are there for support and thank you so much.