AN inspirational soldier, who had his legs blown off when he stepped on a bomb in Afghanistan, this week revealed how he is just happy to be alive and back in Taunton.

L-Cpl Stephan van Niekerk, 25, who went to Bishop Fox’s Community School, Taunton, told the County Gazette of the moment he stepped on an improvised explosive device in the Sangin area of Afghanistan while serving with 3rd Battalion The Rifles on October 22.

On Monday this week, less than five weeks after his unimaginable ordeal, he was home.

Stephan, who lives in Norton Fitzwarren but is currently staying in Taunton, said: “We were taking the fight to the enemy, looking for Taliban, weapons, drugs or bomb-making equipment. The patrol was getting ready to return to base and as I walked over to one of the guys I was hit by the device.

“Immediately afterwards I was conscious and was assessing myself. I could see my legs were blown off.

“There was a lot of confusion. I can’t remember feeling any pain but there was bone sticking out of my left leg.

“The guys got me out of there and before I knew it I was in Camp Bastion.”

The blast cost him his left leg, his right leg below the knee, a broken arm and five fingers seriously damaged or lost.

On the night it happened, his wife, Sadie, 25, was given the news.

She said: “A man from 3rd Battalion rang me and said he needed to come and speak to me. For the 20 minutes it took him to arrive I thought Stephan was dead.

“I couldn’t cry the minute I found out he was injured but alive because I knew I was going to see him again.

“I sent a specific message for him for when he woke up.”

Stephan, who was firm friends with Taunton solder Cpl Tom Gaden, who was killed in Afghanistan in February, is due to go to Headley Court military rehab centre to learn to use prosthetic limbs next month.

He added: “I’m feeling quite healthy and really positive. I’m lucky to still be here and none of my organs have been affected. I can still live a normal life.

Sadie and Stephan have thanked all the people who have helped with his recovery, including the critical care team and S4 Trauma Ward in Birmingham, SSAFA, and Stephan’s fellow troops who got him back to safety so quickly.

Sadie added: “The support they have given has been second to none. Friends and family have also helped Stephan.”