Surgeon's arm severed in speedboat accident

Doctors were today fighting to save the arm of a leading London surgeon after a horrific water-ski accident.

Andrew Lyons, a consultant specialising in oral and facial surgery at Guy's Hospital, is in intensive care in Majorca.

The accident happened at the resort of Port d'Andratx after the victim's wife, Francoise, also a doctor, fell and lost control of the hired motorboat she was using to tow Dr Lyons, 49, through the water.

Mrs Lyons, barely conscious after striking her head, watched helplessly as the boat started circling and headed for her husband.

The couple's 11-year-old son, John, who was on board with her, also saw the runaway speedboat run the surgeon over twice, slicing through his arm. The shocked boy managed to switch off the engine.

A team of researchers from a local university who were nearby heard the family's screams for help and took the surgeon to shore in their motorised dinghy.

Dr Lyons was taken to a nearby hospital but it was soon realised that he required specialist care and a high-speed ambulance transferred him to the capital, Palma, under police escort.

Spanish surgeons at Palma's Son Dureta Hospital spent several hours trying to sew back a recovered section of the arm in an emergency operation yesterday.

Dr Lyons, lost several pints of blood but a hospital spokeswoman said today that his condition was now stable.

It was too early to say, however, whether the operation was likely to save his arm and his career. Dr Lyons lives with his GP wife Francoise, who is French, and their two children in a £600,000 detached six-bedroom modern home in Ightham, near Sevenoaks.

Dr Neil Arnott, senior partner at Amherst medical centre in Sevenoaks and a friend and colleague of Dr Lyons, said today: "We are all reeling with shock. What should have been a happy family summer holiday in the sun has ended in absolute disaster.

"Our deepest sympathies go out to both Andrew and Francoise. It is a terrible time for them.

"I understand that although he is out of danger, his injuries, particularly to his arms, are very severe.

"It will be awful if they threaten a brilliant career."

Dr Lyons's wife and son, and his teenage daughter Chantelle, are at the hospital waiting for news.