David survives 33,000 volts shock to enjoy a very happy Christmas

James and Elizabeth McMullan from Clintyfinnan Road, near Armoy, learned that their son, David, an electrician, had been involved in a near fatal accident when the vehicle he was driving came in contact with an overhead cable.

David (19) had been irrigating potatoes on a farm at Cambridgeshire and the accident occurred when he was moving an aluminium pipe which touched an overhead cable triggering a 33,000 volts shock.

The impact flung the teenager some 20 feet across the field and it was only the quick thinking of a colleague, Andy Kinnaird, from Kells, who managed to raise the alarm bringing the emergency services on the scene soon afterwards to airlift David to Addenbrooke hospital where doctors feared the worst.

David had suffered serious injuries with potential damage to internal organs and severe burns to his body.

He spent two weeks there before being transferred to the Royal Victorial Hospital in Belfast.

One of his big toes had to be amputated and David also had to undergo a series of skin grafts.

The accident took place at 3.30 p.m. on Thursday, October 15 - the date and time of which is firmly etched in David's parents' minds.

Throughout his ordeal, the young man never once complained about his injuries and it was his spiritied attitude that enabled him to make such an amazing recovery.

His mother, Elizabeth, told the Times: "David lost two stones in weight during his hospital stays, but he always maintained a positive outlook.

"Doctors were amazed at how well he recovered.

"We were delighted to have him back with us at Christmas. We know it could have been so very different, but we were so happy to spend Christmas as a family.

"We also couldn't believe how good his employer and friends were.

"I spent two weeks in England with David and everyone showed such kindess offering lifts or helping in any way.

"Our friends here at home were also brilliant and nothing was a problem for them."

David was fit enough to take his place in a rugby match at Armoy on Boxing Day when a 'Singles' select took on a married men's select in a traditional fixture.