A MUSICIAN who was pulled along by a train has paid tribute to the "incredible skills" of medical staff at Addenbrooke's Hospital for saving his badly injured arm.

Guitarist David Ditchfield - who has worked with Dexy's Midnight Runners and Fine Young Cannibals - underwent three major operations to save his left arm.

He spoke to the News after the Rail Accident Investigation Branch published its report into the accident at Huntingdon station on February 15 last year.

His coat became trapped in a train door as he saw a friend off. He was pulled along the platform and remained conscious throughout the horrific incident. He said he was amazed to learn the whole episode lasted just a few seconds.

Mr Ditchfield, who lives in St Ives, said: "Seven-and-a-half seconds - it seemed more like seven-and-a-half minutes. I was conscious throughout and it was a horrific experience, not knowing whether I was going to survive it.

"The sheer pulling power of the train was incredible. It was just very frightening. I was in an awful lot of pain and it is not over yet.

"It is a miracle I have still got the arm, to be honest. They didn't think I would be able to keep it. Everybody at Addenbrooke's was fantastic from the doctors to the lady with the tea trolley. Nobody knows what the extent of my recovery will be. The main thing now is that I get my life back on course."

He said he found physiotherapy sessions particularly helpful because people who had suffered major limb injuries could talk to each other about their experiences.

He is still undergoing regular treatment and will be unable to return to his job teaching guitar and building timber play structures for children because of his injuries. He was unable to discuss some details of the incident because he is taking legal action.

Six safety recommendations were made as a result of the incident, including a call for a cut in the mechanical forces used to close the doors on the type of train in question.

Mr Ditchfield said he had a near-death experience while at the hospital and, although he had not been a religious man, had felt the power of prayer from local churches where prayers had been said for his recovery.

He said: "I went to St Ives Spiritualist Church where I was offered spiritual healing which has been incredible in terms of my recovery."

Mr Ditchfield, who went to art school and trained in graphics, has returned to art as physical and mental therapy and has been painting pictures associated with his experiences.

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