A HAMPSHIRE Army medic who married just three months ago has lost both his legs in an explosion in Afghanistan.
Sergeant Simon Harmer suffered life-threatening injuries when an improvised bomb went off while he was on foot patrol in Helmand Province.
The 33-year-old from Kings Worthy, near Winchester, was on the critical list when he arrived at Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham.
But within a week Sgt Harmer - who only tied the knot with Marisa at his local church in August - gave the thumbs-up to friends.
He has endured several operations following his double amputation and is due to be moved to a specialist rehabilitation centre in Surrey next month.
Sgt Harmer, a veteran of conflicts in Bosnia and Iraq, was working as a combat medical technician with the Royal Army Medical Corps when he suffered the injuries. He had left in September for a six-month tour of Afghanistan with 33 Field Hospital.
Sgt Harmer was transferred to a hospital at Camp Bastion - where many of his colleagues are based - before being flown back to Britain.
LEAVE YOUR MESSAGES FOR SGT HARMER BELOW
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here