Coronation Street is to introduce an “emotional” amputation storyline over the coming weeks.
The soap is set to tackle the issue of sepsis when youngster Jack Webster contracts the infection after suffering a graze on his knee.
The infection storyline will kick off when Kevin’s son is sent to hospital after falling ill while being looked after by his old sister, Sophie.
Trainer doctor Ali noticed how serious the situation was, leading to Kevin having to consider the effects of his son potentially having his leg amputated.
A source told the Mirror that the storyline is going to be “emotional” as Jack’s life “hangs in the balance.”
“Corrie trainee doctor Ali Neeson sees Jack and calls an ambulance as he is concerned about sepsis. It turns out Jack contracted sepsis through a cut on his knee.
“His life hangs in the balance and Kevin is faced with the prospect of amputation for his son to keep him alive. It’s an emotional storyline for Michael Le Vell and Kyran Bowes, who plays Jack.”
It remains to be seen whether young Jack’s infection will be severe enough that he will need to have his leg amputated.
If he does though, he will be one of the quarter of a million people in the UK who contract sepsis every year.
UK Sepsis Trust chief Dr Ron Daniels said:
“Stories like Jack’s remind us of the devastating cost of sepsis.
“The condition affects 250,000 people every year in the UK and claims 44,000 lives – more than breast, bowel and prostate cancer, and road accidents combined.”
