Intersport’s Nigel Hurford helps Rasika Sampath choose some trainers. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0769516)

A YOUNG Sri Lankan man who lost his legs after being hit by a train has had his first fitting for prosthetic replacements.

After numerous fund-raising events and help from islanders Bridge 2 Sri Lanka founder Sarah Griffith was able to bring Rasika Sampath to Dorset to have his new legs fitted.

Mr Sampath, 23, who lost his limbs in 2006, will learn to walk in Guernsey once his new legs have been completed following more tests.

On Friday, Nigel Hurford, from Intersport, donated two pairs of trainers to Mr Sampath.

‘I was delighted to be able to help. I think Rasika is inspirational and I’ve only known him half-an-hour,’ he said.

Ms Griffith said islanders had been amazing in the amount of help they had given her and Rasika.

‘We’ve had to jump through hoops to do this. There have been many technical issues and getting him the visa has been like pulling teeth, but people have been amazing in helping us.’