A BRAVE farm worker who sustained horrific injuries after he was crushed by a bale of hay has amazed doctors by being well enough to return home for Christmas.

Despite initial fears he was going to die, Robert Field, 21, from Cornfield Grove, Burnley, has made what his doctors are calling a "miraculous recovery".

Robert broke his back, fractured his jaw and severed a main artery after the bale fell on him while he was working at Shuttleworth House Farm, Hapton, on Monday September 10.

His family say that he was lucky to be alive because the bale missed his upper body and head but doctors feared the worst when he was airlifted to the Royal Preston Hospital after the accident.

He had to have his left leg amputated below the thigh and does not know if he will ever regain feeling in his right leg.

But Robert, who also had steel rods inserted into his back to help stabilise it, is already making plans to return to work after being allowed to leave hospital for Christmas.

He said: "I'm really pleased to be home in time for Christmas. When doctors at the scene first saw me they told my family they didn't think I would survive.

"Doctors have said that I have made a miraculous recovery. They didn't think it was possible for me to be ready to go home in just 14 weeks.

"I have been told I have been allowed out of hospital permanently but I will still have a bed available in case something happens over Christmas. My final discharge date is in January."

Robert, who went to Wellfield Primary School and Ivy Bank High School, both Burnley, has been treated in the spinal injury unit at Southport & Formby District General Hospital after being transferred from Preston.

He has been allowed out of hospital for the weekends leading up to Christmas since the beginning of November.

Robert, who needs help with every day things, is now trying to live as independently as possible.

To help him the downstairs of his house has already been modified to create a bedroom and a wet room for him. The family are hoping to be able to convert attached stables into a specially adapted cottage for him.

Robert wants to get a tractor adapted so he can return to work and is hoping to start playing tennis and basketball if he can find a team in the area.

He has also been measured for a cosmetic leg which he hopes to get fitted in January.

Robert added: "My mum and sister have had to adapt the house to help me manage with my wheel chair, and I'm sleeping downstairs now but now I'm finding it difficult to do everyday things.

"I've now learnt how to get myself up off the floor if I fall out of my wheel chair.

"I'm hoping to get a mobility car in the next few weeks and a cosmetic leg at the beginning of January to help me get some normality.

"It will be hard but you just have to get on with it.

His mum, Susan, said: "I am so proud of how he has dealt with this and am thankful he is at home with us now.

"We want to thank the paramedics because they saved his life.

"Otherwise he would have bled to death because his main artery had been severed.

"It is a miracle he is still with us."

His sister, Sarah, 21, said: "When we told of his injuries we thought he might not make it, he's lucky to be alive and not to have suffered any brain damage.

"He has been a fighter and make such amazing progress.

"He really has been amazing through everything, cracking jokes all the time and staying positive which has helped us all get through it.

"It's been hard work when he's been home at the weekend because we have to help him get around the house and do things like make him cups of tea.

"It's fantastic that he'll be home to celebrate Christmas with the family."

Robert added: "I really wanted to be home for Christmas surrounded by family and friends.

"I know it is going to be difficult.

"I just have to get on with it but I am still here and that is what matters."