A DAD who was filmed breaking his leg in eight places when he hurtled into a swimming pool wall at the foot of a Didim waterslide is now back on his own two feet.

Des Jarvis’ right leg was saved by a consultant at Addenbrooke’s, Cambridge, during the course of multiple operations following the horrific accident in summer 2012 while on holiday at the Didim Beach Resort with his girlfriend and four children, reports the Cambridge News.

The 46-year-old was referred to Alan Norrish, consultant orthopaedic surgeon, in an effort to avoid amputation.

During a series of procedures, Mr Norrish removed infected bone and then grew his patient’s leg back over a period of six months.

Now Des’ cast has been removed and his leg is sturdy enough to stand on.

Mr Norrish explained: “Des’ leg was infected at the end of the tibia, just above the foot. We removed the infection, then broke the leg at the top and moved it to ‘dock’ it onto to the ankle joint.

“During the procedure we inserted absorbable antibiotic beads which reduce the risk of further infection. We attached wires to hold it in the right position then installed the leg frame.

“This complex computer-guided technology stretches the bone and the leg starts to grow, by about 1mm a day. It’s not just the bone that grows, however, but the comet trail, of cells and nutrients which are going to allow new bone to form in its wake – the blood vessels, nerves, muscles and skin are growing too.”

Each day former Peterborough window fitter Des adjusted the frame to stretch the leg and after six months it had grown back by 6cm.

The 46-year-old, who remains locked in a battle with travel company First Choice for compensation from the incident amid claims the slide was too high and steep for the length of the pool, told the News: “I cannot thank Mr Norrish and his team enough. He has saved my leg and I hope to get my life back at last.”