AN MP injured in a skiing accident is facing a longer stay in a French hospital after his operation was postponed because of medical concerns.
Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart fractured his pelvis, broke several ribs and punctured a lung when he fell during a weekend skiing trip with friends in Chamonix on March 17.
He was due to have a four-and-a-half-hour operation on his pelvis yesterday but the surgery had to be cancelled because of concerns about his punctured lung.
Mr Stuart, 51, has been working from his hospital bed in France while awaiting surgery.
He was said to be in good spirits as he prepared for the operation to have plates fitted to his fractured pelvis yesterday morning.
But he was understood to have been upset when the surgery had to be cancelled.
His office manager Niki Roberts said: "He was looking forward to having the operation on Friday and then coming home a week or so afterwards.
"But the operation will now be next week at the earliest because they are not happy with his lung.
"He will obviously be feeling upset at the turn of events, having been so buoyant before the operation was cancelled."
Mr Stuart had posted an update on Facebook explaining he needed an operation "to put plates in to hold my pelvis together".
Writing before the operation was cancelled, he said: "This should mean I'm mobile (on crutches) pretty quickly and can travel home in a little over a week's time."
The Tory MP thanked people for their good wishes.
Mr Stuart's office manager said he was in good hands at the hospital in Sallanches, near Chamonix.
She said: "They are used to dealing with skiing accidents.
"The punctured lung was the primary concern.
"You wouldn't die from a fractured pelvis but you could die from a punctured lung. I think he's being very brave."
Mr Stuart was skiing to a restaurant with a group of friends when the accident happened.
He was skiing on soft snow, which turned into packed ice closer to the restaurant at Grand Montets.
His skis dug into the ice and catapulted over his head, causing him to land badly.
Chamonix has a worldwide reputation for its challenging terrain.
Jonathan Willoughby, a company director from Beverley, is a regular skier in the resort.
He said: "Chamonix is well-known for its extreme skiing and challenging terrain.
"I don't know how good a skier Graham Stuart is but Grand Montets is quite challenging.
"There are many easier slopes than there.
"You see helicopters flying up and down the valley all the time, taking casualties from the slopes to the hospital in Sallanches."
Mr Willoughby owned property in Chamonix but recently sold it.
He said the challenging ski terrain was a factor.
He said: "We have four children and we wanted a more user-friendly resort."
Mr Stuart has been visited by family and friends and has received many get well messages since his accident.
East Riding Council leader Councillor Stephen Parnaby is among those who have sent messages.
Cllr Parnaby said: "I have sent him my best wishes.
"His injuries sound pretty horrific. He must be in agony.
"I hope he makes a full and successful recovery."
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