'Remarkable' teen footballer on surviving US horror crash and cycling 700 miles to Euros

A talented footballer who won a scholarship at an American university has reflected on his “remarkable” recovery from a near-fatal car accident, which left him with life-changing injuries.

Ethan Walker, 19, was just months into his course when tragedy struck in September 2023.

The student was walking back to his accommodation at Genesee Community College in New York State when he was hit by a car travelling at 60 miles per hour.

He suffered several catastrophic injuries, including three brain bleeds, a lacerated lung, fractures in his pelvis, left hand, skull, shoulder and the tibia on his right leg. He also suffered nerve damage and dysphagia, which left him unable to swallow.

He spent weeks in intensive care and was not expected to survive.

Ethan Walker has been training hard on his road to recovery STV News

But he made an “amazing” recovery thanks to the help of world-renowned orthopaedic surgeon Professor Gordon Mackay, who had once played for Rangers.

Ethan told STV News: “Everything changed as soon as I met Gordon. He changed my life.”

Professor Mackay, who leads a sports injuries clinic, was instrumental in Ethan’s recovery and the pair quickly bonded over their love of football.

He used an advanced internal bracing system to help the ligaments in Ethan’s knee – and admitted he was stunned by his patient’s progress.

Professor Mackay added: “He was a million miles ahead at each milestone smiling back saying, ‘I can do that.’ It’s unusual for a surgeon to be amazed.

“He is the most remarkable young man. He’s been positive since the word go. He’s accepted the fact he had horrendous injuries and he’s been determined to make the most of his situation.”

Ethan was in intensive care for six weeks following the crash STV News

Ethan added: “He was surprised by how fast I progressed after the surgery. I liked to prove him wrong – I still do!”

Two months after the operation, Professor Mackay asked Ethan to cycle with him to the Euros in Germany in 2024 to support Scotland.

Ethan said: “I thought he was joking…then a month later he asked again; ‘Ethan, do you have an answer?’

“I was starting to cycle more and get more function in my knee. So I thought, ‘I could do this.'”

Just nine months after the accident, the football-mad pair set off on a 700-mile cycle from Hampden Park to Munich for Scotland’s opening match at the Euros last June – with the added responsibility of delivering their team’s match pendant.

The challenge has now been made into a documentary, ‘Make it to Munich’, which premiered at this year’s Glasgow Film Festival.

“I had the responsibility of carrying the match pendant – the biggest honour of my whole life,” Ethan said.

Ethan with Professor Gordon Mackay STV News

“We met a few of the players: John McGinn at Hampden, then I gave the pendant to Andy Robertson when we arrived.

“I loved the journey. We got to see all the sights in Europe.

“It’s definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – such an amazing experience.”

Professor Mackay said Ethan was a great companion on the “epic” journey.

“Ethan had set his sights on this. He didn’t complain once,” he said.

“While we were complaining about sore backs, ache and pains, he was just thriving on the experience.

“That’s what shines through here; he’s an example of what’s possible to so many who have suffered a disability, injury and setback. You can tell by his cheeky grin that he’s determined and focused.”

Ethan’s career path has taken a different turn due to the accident; he is now studying sports coaching at college and works as a lifeguard at Sports Aberdeen.