Pawanjit Singh Ghatora had his right leg amputated along with fracturing his left foot, which is in a cast. Photo: Pawanjit Singh Ghatora / Supplied
An Auckland man who had his leg amputated after being pinned against a power pole by a car while walking says he has seen the best of humankind while recovering.
Pawanjit Singh Ghatora has undergone five surgeries and has been in hospital since 1 February, after he was hit by a car while walking with his father along a street in Te Atatū.
Despite his right leg being amputated above the knee he said he was "thankful" for the care he received from his community and hospital staff.
"I'm still healing, but I'm doing good - the pain comes and goes and I've been transferred to North Shore Hospital from Auckland, so with the help of my family I can go outside and look at the lake.
"I try to keep myself positive."
Ghatora said he remained conscious after being hit by the car, despite his right leg being pinned between it and a concrete street pole.
"I remember falling down on the ground and looking at the sky, I knew my leg would be gone.
"Everyone came to help me so quickly there was an off-duty police officer and off-duty paramedic nearby and the ambulance was there very fast, I was taken care of very well."
Ghatora said he was even enjoying the hospital food.
"My wound is healing well and once it's healed, hopefully, I will be able to stand on my left leg.
"Since this happened I've experienced that most people are good. Everyone came forward to help me."
Ghatora came to New Zealand from India in 2019, and due to the Covid-19 lockdown, ended up being apart from his family for over two years.
Ghatora with his family. Photo: Pawanjit Singh Ghatora / Supplied
During that time, he took up running and recently completed a half-marathon.
"I'm quite hopeful I can get a prosthetic at some stage and that in the long term I will be able to run again. That's my goal."
Ghatora's old boss started a Givealittle to help with medical and living costs for him and his family - so far it had raised over $57,000.
"I'm overwhelmed," Ghatora said, "it takes pressure off my family, my wife has been off work since it happened and we have a mortgage to pay so this will really help us along with paying for future rehabilitation."
In terms of the car which hit him, Ghatora said he did not want to spend time blaming the driver.
"I've got to look into the present, not the past, I just had to let it go for my own healing.
"There's no point grieving for the past or regretting it, it's up to the police to take care of the rest."
A police spokesperson confirmed police were anticipating to lay charges in relation to the crash on Friday.
"Once these charges have been laid there will be a court appearance later this month," the spokesperson said.
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