Lucky to be alive

Published 9 Sep 2010 09:30

By Jennifer Black

A LINWOOD mechanic who was just seconds from death has spoken of his gratitude to the neighbours that saved his life.

Sean Finegan, 21, was working under his friend’s van when it slipped off the axle stands trapping him underneath.

In the minutes that followed Sean feared for his life as his friend, Scott, struggled to move the van.

Hearing Sean’s screams, neighbours on Beith Road in Howwood raced out their homes and managed to lift the van enough for Sean to pull himself out.

In an exclusive interview with the Gazette the 21-year-old tells how he was doing his friend a favour by fitting the van’s gear box and didn’t realise that the axle stands were moving before the vehicle collapsed on top of him.

He said: “I was struggling to try and get out and I started to panic. I heard my collar bone popping - I wasn’t willing to give in then but it kept coming down and down and I was getting less air and was struggling to breathe.”

Scott tried in vain to free his friend but couldn’t manage to lift the van himself.

Luckily the neighbours heard Sean’s screams and ran out to help.

He added: “I was starting to admit to myself that I might be finished and I started to black out then I realised people had started to lift the van because my lungs filled back up with air and I managed to pull myself out with my good arm.

“I don’t remember doing it but I pulled myself out and when I got out I couldn’t really lift my shoulder. I couldn’t feel my hand and I was coughing up blood. It was pretty bad.”

Sean was rushed to hospital with a broken collar bone, nerve damage in his chest and bruised lungs and had to undergo gruelling surgery on the Friday.

He was released from hospital the following day but doctors have warned that it will be two months before Sean gets full movement back in his shoulder.

He said: “It still feels weird, I’ve still got pins and needles in my fingers but the doctors said it will take a while to clear up.

“I’m in pain when I get up in the morning because I’ve not had any pain killers during the night but I’m okay during the day.”

Sean, who lives with his parents Tony and Julie and younger brother Tony, 15, in Holm Place, Linwood, wants to say a big thank you to all the neighbours who helped save his life.

He said: “They heard me screaming from underneath the van, it was only me and Scott and I had no idea that they would hear me - they were across the road and in their houses.

“I would like to thank all the neighbours for what they did and I will get over to see them to thank them in person.”

Despite the accident on Wednesday August 18 Sean is still keen to continue his career as a mechanic.

He said: “It was the worst thing that has ever happened to me in my entire life - biggest fright I have ever had.

“The first time I go back under a car I will definitely be a wee bit wary but I’ll get used to - it’s what I do.

“You take that risk every time you go under a motor so you know that could happen.”

Sean added: “My grandpa said in the whole forty-five years he worked with motors, any time a motor has came down on somebody it has killed them.

“I don’t know, I just got lucky and got out.”

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This article appeared in The Gazette 08 Sep 10

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