DOCTORS treating Halfway hit and run pensioner Mike Parsons feared they would have to amputate one of his legs. ‘Until they cleaned it up, they had visions of doing that,’ said 64-year-old Gwen Parsons, whose 70-year-old husband – a retired airport duty officer – was hit by a vehicle while crossing Bas Courtils Road near the Halfway at about 10pm on Friday.

Mr Parsons had been just minutes away from his home at Camp Code Clos estate.

‘He has walked that road many, many times, and said he just heard a terrific roar,’ said his wife.

Mrs Parsons thought her husband’s leg had been severed when she arrived at the scene.

Yesterday, she said he was facing skin grafts and about six weeks in hospital and would need extensive physiotherapy.

Witnesses said they had heard a loud thud at the time and rushed outside to investigate.

A woman who was at the scene said Mr Parsons was covered in blood from the kneecap down. His trousers were torn and his watch had been smashed.

Ambulance staff said the impact fractured the lower parts of both his legs, causing open wounds.

His left wrist was also fractured. Metal rods have now been inserted into his bones.

Yesterday, Mrs Parsons was still shocked by the incident and concerned about her husband’s chances of recovery.

‘He is 70 and is quite fit. That is going to make an awful lot of difference to him, but it’s a complete turnaround in his life.’

‘It is such a terrible thing that has happened. He was very fit for his age. But it could have been worse, it could have been fatal,’ she said.

Ambulance and Rescue Service sub officer John Le Page said: ‘I would say it’s one of the worst road traffic accidents we’ve had in recent times, especially when you consider the gentleman’s age.’

About 20 people gathered as people tried to keep the victim awake until an ambulance arrived.

One of the bystanders, who asked not to be named, asked the man questions about his wife to keep him conscious.

‘I knew he was fading fast. I knew at that stage, as the minutes were going past, I had to keep him conscious,’ he said.

The Ambulance and Rescue Service received three calls about the incident shortly after 10pm.

An ambulance and paramedic car were sent to the scene. It took paramedics about 40 minutes from the time they arrived to manoeuvre Mr Parsons into the ambulance, due to his injuries. He remains in a stable condition.

An arrest had been made and a vehicle seized in connection with the incident.

No details were released about the suspect, who was taken in at the weekend and later released on police bail. No charges have yet been reported. Police are still appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Inspector Ian Scholes said: ‘We would like to locate anyone who saw an elderly gentleman walking along the road prior to the accident or any vehicles of note in the area between 10pm and 10.15.’

Following the accident, police sealed off the road until about 9.30am the next day to search for clues.

* Anyone with information should contact the station on 725111 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.