A British tourist who lost her foot after a taxi cab mounted a kerb in New York has been praised by surgeons for her "fighting spirit" as she comes to terms with her horrific injury.
Sian Green has been recovering from surgery at New York's Bellevue Hospital after her foot was severed just hours into the first day of a "dream" holiday in the city earlier this week.
The 24-year-old from Leicester was munching on a hot dog when the yellow cab ploughed into her.
The taxi mounted the kerb in midtown Manhattan, severing Green's foot (pixellated)
Dr Spiros Frangos, a senior trauma surgeon at the hospital, said Ms Green, from Leicester, was "fortunate" not to have suffered more serious injury and praised her for "remaining optimistic."
The pretty Brit has bravely said she will not let the horrific injury define her.
Phoning her boyfriend, William Lord, from hospital, Sian told him: "I will not let this ruin my life," The Sun reported yesterday.
Sian Green has bravely remained optimistic despite her ordeal, surgeons have revealed
Doctors have had to amputate Ms Green's left foot while she has undergone treatment to wounds on her other leg as a result of the accident.
Dr Frangos, Bellevue's associate director of surgery and director of the surgical intensive care unit, shed more light on the severity of her injuries and said nothing could have been done to reattach her amputated limb despite the best efforts of medics.
"Ms Green had her left leg amputated below the knee as a result of the accident," he said.
"Given the condition of the lower leg, replantation was not an option.
"Her right leg sustained multiple deep lacerations which were also cleaned and repaired and will likely regain most functionality with time and physical therapy.
"She has been cared for by a highly trained trauma and surgical team and was fortunate to not have sustained other major injuries."
He went on to praise Ms Green and her family.
"Ms Green has remained optimistic despite the difficult circumstances and is very fortunate to have such a loving and supportive family," he said.
He was speaking after her parents Jason and Sonia Green, who made a frantic dash to be at their daughter's bedside earlier this week, released a statement through the hospital praising the aid and care their daughter had received.
"There are not enough words to express our gratitude to everyone who has helped our family during this difficult time," they said.
"We would especially like to thank everyone at the initial scene of the accident, especially David Justino and Dr (Mehmet) Oz, (and) all the emergency services personnel at the scene who came to our daughter's aid."
Mr Justino, a plumber by trade, was praised by medics for his "quick-thinking" after tying his belt around Miss Green's leg to act as a tourniquet, stemming the blood loss.
Dr Oz, a celebrity doctor in the US, also came to her aid after he had been filming for a television show near the accident scene, at 49th Street and Sixth Avenue - by the Rockefeller Center in Midtown, Manhattan at about 11am.
The NYPD is continuing to investigate the circumstances of the crash.
Police are investigating whether or not Sian's injuries were caused by a road rage incident.