HE survived an horrific road accident close to his home.
And yesterday, some of the nursing staff who helped young Callum Parkinson pull through were on hand to see his finest hour.
Callum, 16, of Fenay Bridge, was one of the lucky people chosen to carry the Olympic Torch through West Yorkshire.
He was joined on the relay by another brave local youngster.
Harry Crowther, of Mirfield, suffers from a premature ageing condition but bravely joined yesterday’s historic relay.
Callum took one leg of the relay through Leeds yesterday morning on a route which throughout the day also took in Dewsbury, Batley and the iconic settings of the National Coal Mining Museum at Overton and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park at Bretton.
Again, the event drew massive crowds as it did in Huddersfield and Brighouse on Sunday.
Kirklees Council officials estimated 10,000 had turned out in Dewsbury and 5,000 in Batley, even though it was a school and working day.
Callum was watched by mum Christine, dad Andrew and sister Chloe and also by nursing staff from Leeds General Infirmary, who helped him fight back from the brink of death.
He suffered terrible head injuries in the accident on his way home from rugby training in June 2009.
It was doubtful he would survive and he spent six months in hospital. He now has a metal skull and has re-learned how to eat, talk, walk and has even returned to mainstream school.
His big day meant a 3.45am start but he said: “It was amazing.
“It was so exciting. I couldn’t stop smiling.
“I was so pleased the nursing staff who helped me when I was so poorly were there to see it.”
