Prince William has shared the ‘deep distress’ he suffered as air ambulance pilot after a horror accident – but the father of the boy he saved says he’s simply ‘amazing’
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Prince William says he finds jobs involving family tragedies ‘difficult’ after having children
The family of a young boy whose injuries are believed to have triggered a mental health crisis for Prince William say they will be proud one day to call him King.
The Duke of Cambridge says he was left feeling as if the “whole world was dying” after coming to the aid of a critically injured boy.
Ex-air ambulance pilot William, 39, is understood to have been referring to five-year-old Bobby Hughes, who was hit by a learner driver.
He survived against the odds and the royal has stayed in touch with his parents Carly and Jeff Hughes, 44.
Carly, 40, said: “William told us how it affected him as a father and how he felt our pain.
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“I think he’s amazing, a credit to our country. I cannot sing his praises enough. I’ve looked into his eyes and, genuinely, he has got a kind heart.
“He’s a lovely man, amazing. I would be proud to call him my King one day.”
The Prince was a pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) from 2015 to 2017.
In March 2017 he was called to Saffron Walden, Essex, following Bobby’s accident.
The schoolboy was playing with friends outside his home when a learner driver confused the accelerator and brake.
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Bobby suffered brain damage and other serious injuries before being flown to hospital.
He was read the last rites by a priest and doctors warned his family he had a 5% chance of survival.
But he pulled through and his parents hope he will lead a normal life.
Carly added: “All I now want is for Bobby to grow up, get married and have children. I want him to lead the normal life he was supposed to lead.”
Bobby, now aged 10, looks similar to Prince George, who is eight.
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SWNS.com)
Prince William spoke about his mental health while recording Apple’s Time to Walk podcast, which is being released today as part of series to inspire people to get walking.
As the Duke strolled around the Sandringham estate in Norfolk he spoke about his time in the EAAA.
He said he was affected by a feeling of despair several weeks after the accident.
William said: “As a human being, when you see someone in such dire circumstances, basically at death’s door, you can’t help but be affected.”
- Prince William’s Time to Walk episode will be streamed free on Apple Music 1, with airings today at 8am, 4pm and 9pm.
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