03 February 2025 , 07:02
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A British volunteer has defied the odds after suffering life-threatening injuries while evacuating civilians from the front line in Ukraine’s battle for Pokrovsk.
Edward Scott, 28, was wounded as his team’s rescue vehicle was hit by a drone during an attack by Russian forces advancing in the east.
His comrades got away with minor injuries, but Edward, who was driving the vehicle, tool the majority of the blow, according to a GoFundMe set up to raise money for fir medical care.
There were fears that he will not survive and doctors had to amputate his left arm and leg.
His left arm and leg were torn apart during the FPV strike (Picture: GoFundMe)
More than 48 hours after the bombardment, he is now recovering and in a stable condition.
Footage shared by the NGO, Base UA, shows the entire roof of their vehicle ripped apart and blood splattered on the front window after the attack on Thursday at about midday.
Edward was shown in a hospital bed, covered in bandages, but with his spirits high, raising thumbs up for a picture with his doctor.
In a video shared on Base UA’s Instagram account, he thanks one of the other volunteers who rushed to his aid to stop the blood gushing out of his wounds.
After the successful surgery, Edward has been transferred to the intensive care unit at Mechnikov Hospital in Dnipro where he is now recovering.
A post by the NGO read: ‘Eddy has dedicated the last three years of his life to helping others, risking his life countless times.’
More than £47,000 have been raised in only a day to support his recovery and rehabilitation.
Edward spent almost three years in Ukraine (Picture: GoFundMe)
His left arm has been amputated close to his shoulder (Picture: Sergii Ryzhenko)
The post, which described the volunteer as a ‘hero,’ added: ‘Eddy has a long road ahead, and during this time will not have a way of earning any income, so a portion of the money donated will go to his living costs during/after rehabilitation.’
Impressed with Edward’s courage, doctor Sergii Ryzhenko also paid tribute to the volunteer on Facebook.
He said that at the beginning of Russia’s full-scale war in February 2022, the former sailor tattooed a Ukrainian trident on his arm and left his home in the UK for Ukraine to rescue civilians under shelling.
‘Edward has been evacuating women and children from towns and villages that were shelled by Russian artillery,’ Sergii wrote.
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The volunteer hopes to remain in the country and continue helping frontline victims of the war (Picture: GoFundMe)
‘The last evacuation from Pokrovsk almost killed everyone in his car. The drone hit the car with civilians and volunteers.
‘Edward’s left arm and left leg were cut off. During the stages of medical care and evacuation, more than six litres of blood were transfused to save his life, and he underwent a high level of limb reconstruction.
‘His optimism and smile are inspiring. He shows the Ukrainian trident and vyshyvanka on his right arm and hopes to stay in Ukraine to be with those who are having the hardest time ever.’