Libyan Teenage Grenade Victim Walks Again

A 15-year-old boy who was the first Libyan patient flown to Britain for medical treatment during the uprising against Colonel Gaddafi has started to walk again.

Abdul Elhamdi has been in the UK for a month after becoming the first of 50 people injured in the conflict to be given British medical help.

And he is finally back on his feet, two months after a horrific accident in his home country in which his friend died.

Sky News was at Tripoli Central Hospital when Abdul and his friend Wasir were rushed in, both in a terrible state.

The two boys had discovered a stash of weapons hidden in their school, including a grenade.

Wadir appeared to take the full force of the explosion when it blew up, his skin blown from his face and stomach.

Abdul had flesh blown from his legs - down to the bone in parts.

Wadir was so badly injured that he stood little chance of survival.

Doctors battled to get his heart going again but, it soon became clear all hope was lost and several nurses started to cry.

Abdul was at risk of losing his leg and needed specialist care - but when Sky returned two days later his father Rashid was pacing the hospital corridors in despair.

Doctors at that point were overwhelmed and had to concentrate on emergency cases.

Sky viewers, moved by the report, got in touch and offered to pay for Abdul to be flown to Britain for treatment.

By the time he arrived, the British government had announced 50 patients would come to the UK - paid for by the Libyan authorities.

Abdul was the first to arrive and now, a month on, he has started to walk again.

He can only manage a few steps at a time but his determined spirit was evident as he tried to show he could stand on his own for a few seconds without crutches.

Plastic surgeon Shehan Hettia said: "When he came over, he was unwell, he had a temperature, his wounds were infected and there was a risk of not being able to salvage his leg, or, worst-case scenario, of Abdul becoming unwell in himself.

"And luckily he has done really well. He is back up, walking and mobilising and he is getting back to being a normal boy.

"He has had about four operations in total. His operating phase is now over. Seeing him from looking the way he looked when he came off the back of an ambulance, he looked like a sick child. Now look at him.

"He has got a way to go but I'm sure he'll get there. These are traumatic, big events for a lad to go through but he's been very resilient."

Abdul's father, Rashid, said: "I was a bit worried but now I'm relieved and I'm very happy and glad his operations went well.

"I'd like to thank all the people who've helped Abdul. He's made a lot of progress over the last few weeks and he's getting better every day.

"It's been a very worrying time for me and the rest of the family. I'm delighted he's getting better."

Abdul should be well enough to return to Tripoli in the next few weeks.