A keen footballer and triathlon competitor has had both of his lower legs amputated after being mowed down by a hit-and-run driver while helping a friend change a flat tyre.
Shaun Whiter, 27, was left in the road with two crushed legs after he being hit when getting tools out of his boot – while wearing a high visibility jacket.
The Iron Man competitor, who is due to get married next year, underwent immediate surgery and has since had further operations to stabilise his horrendous injuries.
Shaun, an estate agent, had been called in to help his friend Joey Abbs, 30, whose silver Vauxhall Astra had a puncture and needed a tyre changed.
But both were shockingly injured in the brutal collision as the pair were pinned between their cars in a domino effect – with the driver cruelly fleeing the scene.
Joey, from Newmarket, Cambs., managed to crawl to Shaun and hold his hand while he phoned his fiance who arrived ten minutes later along with paramedics.
Charlotte Way, 27, who is due to get married to Shaun next year is now pleading for help in finding whoever left her fiance laying in the street with severe injuries.
She said: “If anyone has any information that can lead to finding the driver who left both of the guys with such horrific injuries, please do come forward.
“Shaun is an extremely sporty guy, he cycles, swims and plays football and thankfully he’s staying quite positive about this all.
“We are still planning on getting married next year and we are hoping Shaun can be fitted with prosthetic lower legs in the future.
“He is in high spirits but it is all still fresh at the moment – we just want to find whoever did this.”
Shaun from Newmarket, Cambs., was hit on Friday night at roughly 11pm – not long after he pulled up in his black BMW 320 to help Joey.
A Ford Focus, believed to be blue, hit Shaun and then reversed back before fleeing the scene.
Shaun has since posted an update to his friends on Facebook from his hospital bed.
He said: “Such a surreal feeling right now about mine and Joey Abbs accident from Friday night.
“From my behalf I want to say a massive thank you to each and everyone for the messages of support I can’t get through them all with responses.
“It’s an amazing feeling knowing each and everyone of you are there for support and thank you so much.
“I want to thank all family members that have helped us so much. And with out them I don’t know where I would.
“We are 100% fighting to get out of this place and will be with you shortly, but again please keep the visiting up we love it #warriors”
Joey, also from Newmarket, Cambs., had less severe injuries but has also undergone surgery after being pinned between Shaun’s car and his own.
The pair are hoping to be moved onto the same ward once they are stable but they speak on phone each morning and keep up to date with how they’re doing.
Shaun was due to play football for Newmarket Town next season and Joey currently plays for Cambridge City FC.
Charlotte, who has been with Shaun for two years after meeting on a dating website, added: “It’s been very upsetting but I am staying strong for Shaun as we are a very strong couple.
“But what is helping is we have had so much support from friends and family and the staff at Addenbrooke’s Hospital has been fantastic.”
An East of England Air Ambulance helicopter was called and Shaun was flown to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge where he has remained ever since.
PC Ian Masters of Cambridgeshire Constabulary said: “This was a serious collision and has sadly resulted in life changing injuries for the driver of the BMW.
“I am particularly keen to speak to the driver of the Ford Focus who did not remain at the scene.”
Anyone with information or who witnessed the collision is asked to call police on 101 and speak to a member of the Road Policing Unit.
A crowdfunding page has been set up for the pair which has so far raised over £3,000.
To donate, visit https://crowdfunding.
