Boy, 14, nearly loses leg after catching flesh-eating disease in lake
Boy, 14, nearly loses leg after catching flesh-eating disease in lake
THIS STORY INCLUDES GRAPHIC IMAGES: Jacob Butler's leg was almost amputated after his leg got snagged on some wire
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Add us as preferred source Comments By Jon King, News Reporter 19:09, Wed, Jul 1, 2026 Updated: 19:14, Wed, Jul 1, 2026 
A schoolboy almost lost his leg after he caught a flesh-eating disease while swimming in a lake with friends to cool off during a heatwave. Jacob Butler, 14, was left with a horrific wound after the dip in the Blue Lagoon in Colliers Moss Park near Burtonwood, Cheshire.
As he was jumping into the water, his right leg was snagged on a piece of wire, cutting it down to the bone just below his knee. The nasty gash became infected with a rare disease called necrotising fasciitis, which can be life-threatening. Jacob has now been left with a 15cm (6 ins) chunk of muscle missing from his leg, but the lad was told he is lucky it didn't need to be amputated.
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Mum, Rebecca Butler, 33, shared her son's story to raise awareness about the dangers of open water. She said: "The whole ordeal has been devastating for me as a mum.
"I honestly thought he was going to die, and to be told he could have if I hadn't brought him to the hospital keeps me up at night.
"At one point there were what looked like 30 doctors and surgeons in the room all discussing his leg. All the worst-case scenarios were flying around my head."
She said Jacob's leg is deformed and will remain so for the rest of his life because of the "tragic" accident. Rebecca added: "We never want anyone to have to go through what Jacob has been through."
Jacob was playing with friends on April 30 when he phoned his dad, Ashley Butler, 37, telling him he had an "accident" and it was "really bad".
Paramedics went to the lake and the teenager was airlifted to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
Luckily for Jacob, before the emergency services arrived a nearby fisherman came to his aid and wrapped his leg in a T-shirt, reducing the blood flow.
Rebecca said his actions ultimately saved her son's life as well as his leg from being amputated.
Jacob underwent emergency surgery the next morning to remove the signs of infection and stitch his leg back up. He was discharged a couple of days later.
But on May 13 Rebecca noticed his leg smelled like "rotting flesh" and took him back to A&E. She added: "It smelt like death, it was horrific.
"I was concerned and took him to the hospital, and doctors told me his leg was infected with a flesh-eating disease.
"It was terrifying, as they told me if I hadn't come in when I did, it could have been life-threatening. But the doctors did a great job looking after him."
Jacob underwent five hours of surgery to remove the infection. Rebecca said the bug had eaten around 15 cm of flesh.
Rebecca said doctors told her that Aeromonas Hydrophila had caused the flesh-eating bug, necrotising fasciitis, to form on his leg.
Necrotising fasciitis, also known as the "flesh-eating disease", is a rare and life-threatening infection of the deeper layers of your skin, according to the NHS.
Aeromonas Hydrophila is a bacterium found in brackish water, like lakes and rivers, and commonly enters the body through cuts to the skin.
Jacob has since had calf muscle transfer surgery to move the top muscle from his calf around to the front of his leg to aid his ability to walk. He has also had a skin graft placed over the area, which was from his right thigh.
Rebecca said: "Luckily, we still have our son, but unfortunately, there are others who will never see their children again. Water safety is real and no joke."
Jacob said: "Please don't jump into open water as it can be very dangerous. I could have lost my leg or worse."
Huge fire erupts next to M&S store with flames and black smoke seen for miles
Frome fire LIVE: Huge blaze breaks out next to M&S store as warning issued
Dramatic pictures show huge flames ripping through the building.
Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments live By Catherine Mackinlay, News Reporter, Shannon Brown 19:34, Wed, Jul 1, 2026 Updated: 19:34, Wed, Jul 1, 2026 
A huge fire has engulfed a building in Frome, with massive flames and thick plumes of black smoke rising high into the sky. Several fire engines are tackling the blaze next to the M&S store on Kingsway.
Dramatic pictures from the scene, published by Somerset Live, show bright flames engulfing the building, with local residents looking on. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has urged people to keep their doors and windows closed. The fire servive shared a post on social media which read: "We currently have eight pumping appliances tackling a derelict building fire on Kingsway, Frome. Please keep your doors and windows closed if you live in the area due to the smoke."
FOLLOW BELOW FOR THE LATEST UPDATES:
7 mins ago19:34 Catherine MackinlayEight crews at the scene
According to SomersetLive, eight fire engines are at the scene from Frome, Castle Cary, Street, Sheptom Mallet and Wells fire stations.
16 mins ago19:25 Catherine MackinlayImage shows intensity of the fire
This image shows intensity of the fire as smoke billows over Frome.
Fire service urges residents to keep windows and doors shut
In a post on X, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said eight pumping appliances were tackling a fire involving a derelict building on Kingsway in Frome.
The service urged people living nearby to keep their doors and windows closed due to the large amount of smoke coming from the blaze.
Get the day's biggest headlines in UK and World news and more Invalid emailWe currently have eight pumping appliances tackling a derelict building fire on Kingsway, Frome. Please keep your doors and windows closed if you live in the area due to the smoke. pic.twitter.com/AVZkr6Wdpi
\u2014 Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (@DSFireUpdates) July 1, 2026
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25 mins ago19:16 Catherine MackinlayLocation of the fire
The fire has broken out at derelict building next to the M&S store on Kingsway.
Fire has reportedly broken out at a “heritage asset”
The fire has reportedly broken out at a “heritage asset”.
We will bring you more updates as they arrive.
Welcome to our live coverage
Welcome to our live coverage as firefighters battle a major blaze in Frome.
A large building has been engulfed by flames in Frome, sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky, with emergency services urging nearby residents to keep their doors and windows closed.
