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Nigel Rogoff lost a leg when he crashed into a stand at Villa Park dressed as Santa during Aston Villa’s match against Arsenal on Sunday, December 13, 1998.

Nigel had his left leg amputated above the knee after parachuting into the Trinity Road stand in a Father Christmas suit when a stunt went wrong at half time in Aston Villa’s 3-2 Premier League win over Arsenal.

The former RAF flight sergeant has refused to dwell on the accident and dedicates himself to charity work to help other military casualties.

(Image: Andy Bate Photography)

After his accident in 1998, he married Sarah, the nurse who was caring for him at the rehabilitation centre at Headley Court in Epsom, Surrey, and the couple had twins Harry and Oliver.

He continued to have treatment with prosthesis expert Andrew Sharpe at Birmingham Limb Centre in Selly Oak.

Nigel took part in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, a 3,000-mile Atlantic crossing with a crew who nicknamed themselves The Legless Rowers.

He lost three stone in weight and battled 50-foot waves during the 47-day voyage in a rowing boat with three other wounded military veterans.

RECALLING THE ACCIDENT

"It’s many years since my injuries. I don’t dwell on it. It was a bad day at the office, I’ve always said that.

"You stick your neck out there sometimes in life and sometimes things don’t quite go your way. I don’t regret anything. I’d like to have a leg back, but the reality is I’ve got on with my life.

"I guess that it is the over riding message that we’re all saying to our serving and past service colleagues, and there are many of them out there, who have had serious injuries.

"We wish them well and encourage them to stick their heads out the front door and crack on with life, which is exactly what we’re all doing."

TREATMENT AND VILLA PARK RETURN

"I’ve been very well looked after at Birmingham Limb Centre at Selly Oak, the West Midlands Rehabilitation Centre.

"The lead prosthetist, Andrew Sharpe, what a guy! I’m very grateful for the continued well wishes and support I get from the Birmingham community."

LIFE SINCE THE ACCIDENT

"Since my injuries I’ve lived in South Africa for 10 years and done some property development over there and now live in Hereford. I’ve got a private pilot’s licence. I took up paragliding and got back into scuba diving again.

"Harry and Oliver were born in Hereford hospital so their journey’s been interesting.

"Sarah and I met in the military rehabilitation centre in Epsom. She was a serving RAF nurse, that’s where we met, and the rest is history!"

THE MATCH

This was the last time Villa beat Arsenal at Villa Park. They were trailing 2-0 at half-time in the Premier League fixture after Dennis Bergkamp scored twice. The second-ha;f was delayed by 15 minutes because of the accident. After the break Villa roared back to win 3-2 with Julian Joachim scoring and Dion Dublin bagging a brace. The victory restored John Gregory's team to the top of the table. They ended the season in sixth place.

The Villa team that day: Oakes, Southgate, Ehiogu, Barry (Collymore 54), Watson, Hendrie, Taylor, Thompson, Wright; Joachim (Grayson), Dublin. Subs not used: Ghent, Charles, Vassell.