HEARTBREAK ON AIR: Good Morning Britain’s Kate Garraway and Richard Madeley PAUSE Show After Sharing EMOTIONAL MOMENT with Former 18-Year-Old Footballer Following DEV𝑨ST𝑨TING CAR 𝑪𝑹𝑨𝑺𝑯
A teenager who was ‘obsessed’ with football has revealed the devastating impact of losing both his legs during a drink-driving incident.
Adam Golebiewski, 18, spoke to Good Morning Britain hosts Kate Garraway and Richard Madeley about the event that ‘changed his life.’
On Monday’s installment of the ITV news programme, Adam, of Scotland, told how he was offered a lift by a friend of a friend who he did not know very well.
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‘Of course, as young teenagers, you accept it,’ he said. ‘I knew him from school, he wasn’t really a friend.’
The driver had been drinking and the car collided with another vehicle on the road, meaning Adam had to have both legs removed.
After the 𝑪𝑹𝑨𝑺𝑯, Adam woke up in the hospital to a nurse telling him he was going to lose his legs.
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Adam Golebiewski, 18, who was ‘obsessed’ with football told Good Morning Britain hosts on Monday the devastating impact of losing both his legs during a drink-driving incident
‘That was scary,’ Adam said, visibly distressed. ‘I didn’t know what to think. I didn’t know if my family knew.’
His friend Arran Paterson, 19, admitted dangerous driving, being over the drink-drive limit and driving without insurance at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
‘It’s been a really hard challenge to face,’ Adam continued. ‘The littlest of things you have to plan. He’s not just changed my life, but the lives of everyone who’s close to me.’
Adam urged that the drink-driving limit be reduced to zero, saying: ‘I don’t really want anyone drinking at all in their cars, all over the world, it should just be zero.’
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the drink driving alcohol limit for drivers is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood and 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath.
Although Adam had to stop playing his beloved sport, football, the determined athlete has not given up on being active.
‘I’ve just started new things,’ he told Kate and Richard. ‘Before, I was so obsessed with football, that was my life.
‘I’ve started other sports, and I can enjoy myself as much as I enjoyed football. I’ve started cross-country skiing now.’
The driver had been drinking and the car collided with another vehicle on the road, meaning Adam had to have both legs removed
A medical expert appeared on the show to discuss the drink-driving limit.
‘The more we’ve learned about alcohol, the more we know it’s impossible to predict how even one unit can affect you, your reflexes, and your coordination,’ he said.
‘Even if you’re legally under the limit, it’s not safe, that’s my medical opinion, it should be zero.’
The medic explained how the effect of alcohol depends on a variety of factors.
‘It depends on what you’ve eaten, drunk, how you’ve slept, and for women it depends on where they are in their menstrual cycle, after menopause will be different from before.’
Viewers flooded social media with support for Adam, with many praising his bravery and resilience in the face of such a traumatic life event.
One wrote: ‘Hope to see him in the Paralympic Games in the future,’ while another added: ‘What a brave young man. I wish him all the best for his future.’
A third agreed, writing: ‘What a very brave lad in more ways than one. I hope he can find nothing but joy in his life again.’
Viewers flooded social media with support for Adam, with many praising his bravery and resilience in the face of such a traumatic life event
‘This is so terrible,’ a fourth wrote. ‘A young man’s life altered because of stupidity.’
It comes as Good Morning Britain viewers call for a presenter to be investigated by Ofcom.
A recent episode saw Kate, 58, and Ed Balls, 58, return to our screens to discuss the latest headlines and newsworthy topics.
During one segment the pair discussed the small boat crisis with Michael Gove, 57, and Kevin Maguire, 64.
And some think that Ed shouldn’t be involved in political interviews when his wife, Yvette Cooper, 56, is the Home Secretary.
Some took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts.
‘Ed Balls ‘grilling’ a Labour MP when you’re wife’s the Home Secretary should be investigated by OFCOM. It’s not right…’
‘Smug Ed Balls, whose wife is chief of command for protecting the public in this country, should pipe down.’
‘I simply cannot stand Ed Balls, he is so smug and has a clear conflict of interest because his wife is a cabinet member (and not a good one either). His smug smile is so annoying!’
‘Total embarrassment listening to #GMB this morning nearly every story mentioned by the panel is the actual responsibility of the Home Secretary…who just happens to be ‘Mrs Ed Balls’, the pointlessness of this ‘chat’ is truly appalling.’
