HE had just experienced the happiest moment of his life.
But just three months after marrying, a Hampshire Army medic’s world has been shattered.
Sergeant Simon Harmer lost both his legs after triggering an improvised explosive device while on foot patrol in Afghanistan.
His colleagues performed lifesaving surgery at the Helmand Province Military Hospital where he was based before he was flown back to Britain on the same plane as two men he had performed the surgery on him just days earlier.
The 33-year-old from Kings Worthy near Winchester was on the critical list when he arrived at Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham. But within a week Sgt Harmer – who only tied the knot with Marisa at his local church in August – gave the thumbs-up to friends.
He has endured several operations following his double amputation and is due to be moved to the specialist Headley Court rehabilitation centre in Surrey next month.
Sgt Harmer, a veteran of conflicts in Bosnia and Iraq where he saved many lives himself, was working as a combat medical technician with the Royal Army Medical Corps when he suffered the injuries. He had left in September for a six-month tour of Afghanistan with Gosport-based 33 Field Hospital.
Sgt Harmer was transferred to a hospital at Camp Bastion – where many of his colleagues are based – before being flown back to Britain.
An Army spokesman said: “Sgt Harmer was offering medical cover to a patrol when he was severely injured by an improvised explosive device.”
Friends and family have delivered a boost to Sgt Harmer by setting up a tribute page on a social networking website.
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