A WOMAN who lost both her legs in an horrific accident on the way to her wedding today vowed: I still want to marry.

Dawn Auty, 42, formerly of Huddersfield, had to have both her legs amputated after the accident on Saturday lunchtime in Blackpool.

Her bridal gown and legs were dragged into the machinery of the 1,000cc Yamaha trike she was riding through wind and rain along Albert Road, yards from Central Methodist Church in Blackpool.

Ms Auty's fiance Stephen Flood, a 36-year-old IT worker, was waiting in the church with wedding guests but rushed to the scene when he heard.

But today the Rev Barbara Duchars, who was due to conduct the wedding, said terminal cancer sufferer Ms Auty still wants to get married.

The Rev Duchars, who has visited Ms Auty in hospital, said: "She and Stephen have told me very clearly they still want to get married.

"I will be more than pleased to perform the ceremony.

"If it means a wedding on the ward so be it. Dawn is totally committed to the marriage despite everything."

She added: "I have know the couple for about three months. They are a delightful couple."

Motorbike-mad Ms Auty is refusing chemotherapy for her cancer and so was determined to make her big day extra special by riding on friend's trike to church.

Mr Flood's brother David said: "Dawn has been very ill with cancer. That's why she wanted to fulfil her dream and get married in church to Stephen.

"It was such a precious, precious time for her. We tried to beg her to change her mind and go in a taxi and miss the wind and rain, but she refused.

"It is terrible taking in the circumstances of what happened to her. We are just thankful she is alive and want to thank the paramedics and doctors for what they have done for her."

Relatives tried to free Ms Auty while passers-by called for help on their mobile phones.

Fire crews worked to free Ms Auty, a former nurse, as paramedics fought to stop her losing blood and going into fatal trauma.

An emergency doctor then amputated both her legs at the knee.

Ms Auty was conscious but in deep shock throughout the ordeal.

She was rushed to Blackpool Victoria Hospital, where staff today said she was "comfortable".

Her "adopted" father Eddie Furness, a retired engineer from Huddersfield, said she was talking and putting on a brave face.

Mr Flood said no-one was to blame for the tragedy.

He has lived with Ms Auty in Kent Road, Blackpool, since she moved to the town from her home in Grasscroft Road, Marsh, seven months ago.

She has two children Peter, 21 and Laura, 19 and Mr Flood also has two children.

He said the family needed time to come to terms with the tragedy.

He said: "We are all absolutely devastated by what has happened and we would like to be left alone during this difficult time to concentrate on helping Dawn get through this."

Officers from Lancashire Police are still examining the motorised trike, which has a red leather saddle, painted flames on its side and a red devil on the back.

They are also studying fire brigade pictures of the scene.

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