By Graeme Strachan

A YOUNG DUNDEE ice hockey star yesterday took his first steps since being left almost paralysed after suffering a horror injury while playing for Scotland.

Ross McIntosh (15) was left with three fractures of the vertebrae after going head first into the boards around the ice just eight seconds into his first game for Scotland U17s in the Junior Conference Championship at Hull Arena.

The Grove Academy pupil was flown home by air ambulance to the neurosurgery ward at Ninewells Hospital on Wednesday and is facing up to three months bed rest or an operation.

The early prognosis was gloomy while his parents maintained a bedside vigil after the accident.

Ross amazed his family yesterday after sitting up and taking his first steps.

“He was up on his feet this morning,” said dad Stuart. “He’s got a neck brace on now.

“The physios were able to sit him up in bed and sit him back down again.

“They also helped him take his first steps.It was so heartwarming to see that after what we’ve gone through.

“I was nearly crying myself.

“It’s still going to be a very slow process but hopefully by the weekend he’ll be able to sit up by himself, get up and then possibly walk.”

Luckily Ross has escaped paralysis and the outlook is more optimistic as he battles back to health, with dad Stuart hoping to see him back on the ice by Christmas.

“It could have left him paralysed,” said Mr McIntosh. “Last Saturday morning we were fearing the worst.

“It’s looking far more optimistic now than it was on Saturday when we got the initial prognosis.

“He’s received hundreds of well wishes from team-mates, opponents, officials and fans.”

The Dundee Texol Stars forward was elevated to the senior team during the 2006-2007 campaign after outstanding performances in their youth set-up in the past seasons.

Mr McIntosh has been keeping local ice hockey fans updated on the condition of his son via the internet and has thanked those who have been asking how Ross is getting on.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank absolutely every single man, woman and child who have asked about Ross since his injury on Saturday,” he said.

“To every parent, coach, trainer, manager, fan, official, and all the players for all your support and well wishes, for the collection …thanks ever so much from myself, his mother, all his family and most of all from him himself.

“As to his injury and recovery, depending on whether they operate or not will depend on how long his recovery will take but I said to him to set a target of being back on the ice for Christmas, so we’ll wait and see, and hopefully with a bit of luck (he’ll) be back at Hull next year representing his country in next year’s tournament.”

Ross was one of 16 junior players from Dundee Texol Stars that were chosen to play for Scotland in last weekend’s tournament in Hull.