Surgeons plan major op to save Westbury window cleaner’s legs

Jason Knight 33, from Westbury, has already lost part of his left arm and five of his toes. He now faces the prospect of losing both his legs if the operation is unsuccessful.

He suffered life-changing injuries on Saturday, April 6 when he was struck by a deadly current that jumped 10 feet from an overhead power line to the carbon fibre pole and brush he was using.

Jason was airlifted to Southmead Hospital in Bristol where surgeons were forced to amputate his left forearm and four toes that were severely burned in the blast.

READ MORE: Westbury man suffers life-changing injuries after 33,000-volt shock

Jason Knight at Southmead Hospital in Bristol. (Image: John Knight)

His father John Knight, 58, from Westbury, said: “Jason has to date undertaken 20 operations under general anaesthetic.

“During Jason’s last major operation, he had a further toe removed. He is left with two toes on one foot and three on the other.

“There was significant internal burning and decay in both of his feet and legs, which has meant that a significant amount of his feet have had to be amputated along with the removal of several major tendons and muscles which are essential for mobility.”

Jason Knight faces months of recovery and may lose both his legs if a major operation to save them is unsuccessful. (Image: John Knight)

Jason is being kept under the watchful eye of top lower limb specialists and plastic surgeons who, in a matter of a few weeks, are scheduled to carry out a major and complex operation to ‘reconstruct’ Jason’s feet and legs.

Mr Knight said: “Consultants have advised that if Jason continues to be in significant pain long after his operation, or indeed if the operation is not as successful in giving Jason the mobility he needs for everyday living, then it may well be the case that he will need to consider a double amputation below his knee to enable him to wear prosthetics in the future.

“This is obviously a worst and last case scenario, but it is important to note that it may well be the end result if the pain/outcome of the operation is not positive.

“Jason remains positive and determined and sends his love and gratitude for everything the community is doing to not only support his rehabilitation but also the support that has been provided to the whole family.”

John Knight thanks Wiltshire Air Ambulance pilot Rob Backus who helped save his son Jason's life on April 6. (Image: Knight Family)

Jason lives with his wife Sara, 35, their seven-year-old daughter, and 18-month-old identical twin girls.

A spokesperson for Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks previously said they were cooperating with a Health & Safety Executive investigation into the incident.

The spokesperson added: “At SSEN, we take our responsibility for the public’s safety around our assets very seriously.

“Since the incident, we have been closely involved with the Health & Safety Executive’s ongoing investigation, supplying details of regular asset inspections (the last of which was in 2023), public communications and evidence of full compliance with Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations (ESQCR) which includes requirements for statutory warning signs and distance from property."

After the incident, his sister Leanna Haskell launched a fundraiser to help support his young family and his recovery after Jason had to shut down his cleaning business, H2O Vision.

His family has also launched a campaign called ‘Jason’s Cause’ that has already raised more than £28,000 towards its £100,000 goal.

It also looks to raise awareness of the immediate dangers that exposed overhead power cables pose, particularly those in the vicinity of a domestic setting that are not insulated and marked.

Center Parcs at Longleat and Mulberry in Somerset are just of the companies that have offered prizes for the Jason's Cause prize draw. (Image: John Knight)

The campaign includes ‘Jason’s Cause Ultimate Local Prize Draw’, which will be hosted on the Crowdfunder platform. It begins at 12 noon on Friday, May 31 and closes at 12 noon on Wednesday, July 3.

To donate visit, gofundme.com/f/jasons-rehabilitation and to enter the prize draw visit, crowdfunder.co.uk/p/jasonscause.