By Caroline Ivison

Last updated at 13:16, Friday, 31 August 2012

Young rugby player David Curran is walking tall just weeks after breaking his neck in a rugby accident.

David Curran

David, 12, from Workington, was told it was unlikely he would walk again after the accident four months ago.

But now the St Joseph’s pupil who lives in Windsor Road, Westfield, is back on his feet and preparing to take to the stage.

He is rehearsing for a production of Alice in Wonderland by Workington and District Amateur Musical Society.

David has paid tribute to the air ambulance medics who flew him to hospital.

He said: “I would have been in a worse condition if it wasn’t for the air ambulance and I really thank them.”

David was injured in a tackle while playing for Salterbeck Storm rugby league team in April. He was airlifted to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary.

Following treatment he had to wear a neck brace for 12 weeks.

His parents Tracy and Stephen Cunningham were told by consultants after the accident that he had come very close to being paralysed or dying from his injury.

Tracy said: “A nurse at the hospital in Newcastle really summed it up when she said she didn’t expect him to walk out of there.

“I think that is when it hit us how serious it was.”

David said: “I didn’t feel anything and I wanted to go back on but then I fainted.

“I remember looking up at the ceiling in the helicopter.”

He is still seeing a consultant and having physiotherapy on his neck to strengthen the weakened muscles.

David has been a member of the society for two years. This week members donated £200 to the Pride of Cumbria Air Ambulance which flew him to hospital.

The society will also donate everything it collects over the next 12 months to the Great North Air Ambulance.

First published at 11:26, Friday, 31 August 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk