A talented young footballer who lost his legs after a devastating car crash has spoken of his ordeal for the first time.
Adam Golebiewski, from Banff, was travelling home from a night out with pals on September 8 when the they were involved in a one-vehicle collision in Macduff.
The eighteen-year-old – who had been a gifted goalie for local club Deveronside JFC – was rushed to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary before medics told him his injuries were so severe that both his limbs would have to be amputated.
Speaking from his hospital bed, Adam told the Record he just feels “thankful to be alive”.
He said: “When I woke up after the crash they told me I was in hospital in Aberdeen and that I had been in an accident.
“Then I got taken to theatre. When I woke up in recovery, my consultant told me what had happened and said that they had to take off both my legs.
“The only word I can use to describe how I felt is thankful. Thankful I was still here, thankful that I was alive – and also thankful that I couldn’t remember what had happened.”
Adam’s dad, Adam Snr, also told of the phone call he described as “every parents worst nightmare” as he learned about what had happened to his son.
The 45-year-old said: “Adam had a game on the day of the crash and he had made a perfect save, so they wanted to hang out later to celebrate. We got the call at 6.20am the following morning.
“He told he had been in an accident and he was about to go to theatre and expected to lose his legs. He was so apologetic and calm on the phone, even in spite of what he was telling us.
“Then the nurse took the phone off him and said told us to get there as soon as we could. By the time we got there, he was already in surgery.
“It lasted around six hours and then it took him a while to come round, but the amputation on his right-hand side didn’t go to plan so they have had to revisit it twice.
“I was trying to stay positive for him and that was easier when he was awake because of his positive attitude, but whenever he fell asleep, I cried.
“I just keep thinking about the future he could have had. He loved football. He was even scouted by Ex Celtic goalkeeper Łukasz Załuska last year.
Adam has joint Polish nationality and Załuska had a team over there for him in mind because of his potential. It’s heartbreaking knowing my son has lost this opportunity because he worked so hard.
“Football was his life and seeing how much this accident has taken from him is devastating.”
Adam has since undergone three major surgeries and has been transferred to Woodend Hospital for rehab.
His mum Joanne, 47, makes a two-hour trip twice a day to stay with her son.
Adam Snr is focusing on adapting the family home to make it accessible for Adam which includes fitting a shower room and stair lift.
He continued: “Adam has taken on his recovery well. He is going to the gym three times a day to build up his upper body strength.
“But it’s hard for him because he won’t be able to get fitted with prosthetic legs for a few months and he just wants to get up and get on with it.”
But while the heartbreaking incident has been a huge blow for Adam’s family, the teen, who is was also an apprentice builder, has remained positive and been a “rock” to his loved ones.
Reflecting on his life-changing injuries, Adam, who celebrated his 18th birthday in hospital, said: “There is nothing I can do about it now, but if I put the hard work in I will get up on my new legs.
“I’m not sure what the future holds for my job or for playing sport, but I just want to prove that my life will go on.
“It may have to take a few different roads, but nothing is going to stop me.”
Adam’s best pal Curtis West, 18, suffered a back injury in the crash. A female passenger, also 18, and a 19-year-old male were also take to hospital.
Police are continuing to probe the nightmare incident.
Speaking at the time, officers said: “Around 3am on Sunday, 8 September, 2024, officers were called to a report of a one car crash in Union Road, Macduff.
“Emergency services attended and three men aged 17,18 and 19 and an 18-year-old woman were taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for treatment. The 18-year-old man has since been released from hospital, whilst the injuries of the others are described as serious, but not life-threatening.
“Enquiries remain ongoing and anyone who witnessed the crash or has any information is urged to contact police on 101, quoting incident 0609 of 8 September, 2024.”
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