A teenager who suffered horrific injuries when he was trapped under a bus has been reunited with one of his rescuers.

Darren Weston, from West Bowling, was left fighting for his life last year after he was struck on the guided busway as he crossed Manchester Road.

Firefighters had to jack up the bus so that emergency crews could stabilise him and airlift him to hospital in the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. His family, who nicknamed him Terminator because doctors had to rebuild him with plates and wires in his legs, ankles and jaw, say it was the mercy dash that saved his life.

Twelve months on, the 14-year-old - who defied doctors' orders by going back to school early in January - was all smiles again when he was reunited for the first time with air ambulance paramedic Sammy Wills.

It was Sammy who had to squeeze through a tight gap under the bus engine to stay with him until he could be moved. Once on board the air ambulance it took just three minutes to reach Leeds General Infirmary, where emergency staff were waiting.

Sammy said: "I remember it was such a tiny gap under the bus that I had to empty my pockets first. It was dark and stank of fumes but Darren was remarkable, he kept it together even though he knew he was in a bad way. Time was critical but I could tell he was going to be a fighter."

Darren's recovery amazed Sammy, whose first question was "Is that really your own foot?" She said: "I'm stunned he's recovered so well. I can't believe he didn't lose his foot, it was blue. I'm amazed he's walking."

Darren, who still needs more surgery to reconstruct his face, said a big 'thank you' to Sammy by handing over a cheque for more than £1,000 to help keep the air ambulance flying. His pals from Buttershaw School were also there to hand over a cheque for £850 raised at a non-uniform day.

Rooley Lane's Asda store made space in its car park so the air ambulance could land and the reunion go ahead.

The supermarket has also joined in the fundraising and is now on the way to raising £1,000 for the charity.

Darren said: "If it hadn't been for the air ambulance I don't think I would be here today. "