A Walsall man who was left brain-damaged and in a wheelchair after a car ploughed into him has been made MBE for his work preventing road accidents.
Stuart Fisher, aged 32, suffered horrific injuries when a stolen car being pursued by police knocked him down on a pedestrian crossing on Blackpool’s Promenade 15 years ago.
Since the accident he has had to learn how to talk and walk again and now promotes road safety. He was made MBE for his voluntary service to the West Midlands Fire Service Casualty Reduction Team.
Stuart now lives with his parents Barry and Zena in Park Hall Road, Walsall, who are his full-time carers.
His dad said: “Stuart was badly injured and left with brain damage and in a coma for seven months and in hospital for two years.
“When he regained consciousness he found himself with severe disabilities, relying on his family to assist him with washing, dressing and getting around. He had to learn to talk again and can only walk with the aid of a frame.”
The helicopter footage of the accident was turned into a road safety documentary.
Stuart now visits schools, colleges, youth offending teams, youth clubs and pupil referral units.
Mr Fisher said: “Youngsters who see the video can see Stuart in his wheelchair and realise the tragic consequences of dangerous driving.”
He said the family were on holiday last week and returned home to find a letter from Whitehall telling them about Stuart’s honour.
“We were gobsmacked because we didn’t know the fire service had nominated him,” Mr Fisher said. “Stuart’s over the moon.
“It helps with his rehabilitation to know he is doing some good. He did all this off his own bat, we didn’t push him into it.”
