'He's an absolute lion': Viewers call brave teenager, 19, who was left with horrific 85 per cent burns in a house fire 'inspirational' after his sister reveals he's 'smiling again'
- Troy MacKinlay, 19, suffered 85 per cent burns after a house fire in October
- Sister Abra Woods revealed on This Morning the family were told to say goodbye
- She describes moment she saw her brother with burns as 'absolutely horrific'
- Viewers watching the show praised MacKinlay's 'fighting spirit'
- ]WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
The sister of a teenager who suffered 85 per cent burns in a house fire has revealed her fears that her brother wouldn't survive - and her pride at his 'fighting' spirit.
Abra Woods, 25, from Shildon, County Durham appeared on This Morning today to thank viewers for their support of Troy MacKinlay, who remains in hospital, and to share the 'horrific' moment she saw her brother for the first time with his injuries.
Appearing on the This Morning sofa, Woods told hosts Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield that her family had originally been told he had just 'three hours left' to live after suffering life-changing burns and that she should prepare to say goodbye.
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Speaking of the moment she saw him for the first time following the fire at his grandmother's house in Shildon, Wood said: 'It was absolutely horrific. I have never witnessed anything like it in my life. It was just unimaginable, it was really hard.'
On October 14 last year, emergency services were called to the fire; they found Troy and his cousin, Tommie Vayro, escaping the burning building moments before the upstairs windows shattered.
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Four days after being admitted to Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, doctors told the family they should prepare to share their final moments with him after his condition deteriorated.
Woods said: 'Me and my brothers didn't say goodbye, we said "see you later" because we have faith in Troy that he's a fighter.'
At 15 weeks, when his condition had improved, Troy asked his sister to take a photo of him in his hospital bed and posted it on social media along with the line: 'This is me, if you don't like it, do one.'
Woods revealed that her brother had told her he would 'hardly want to go out of the house' because of his life-changing injuries and hoped that the post would let people see how he'd changed and garner some supportive comments.
Woods told Holly and Philip that her brother has 'to learn to walk again, he has to use his hands again. He is bandaged from head to toe, it is just one day at a time.'
The 'incredibly positive' reaction to the photo had left Mackinlay 'really happy' and smiling, with message received from across the globe.
After the show; viewers took to social media to show their support. @wee_kels wrote: 'Troy what courage you have shown and not giving up. Takes guts. Keep on fighting #daretodream #NEVERQUIT'
@louhollywood1 'Troy you truly have a heart of a Lion. Strength and courage young man you can fight it!'
@Songbird1730 agreed, saying: 'Truly inspirational, goes to show the power of positive thinking... sending get well wishes and keep fighting x'
@LisaMarie_32 penned: 'Troy you are truly AMAZING!!! So brave + a complete inspiration to everyone!!! Keep fighting!! Big hugs xxx'
Abra revealed that her brother has now got a 99 per cent of survival. Sat alongside her was This Morning doctor Zoe Williams, who said: 'It’s incredible that he has come this far, it shows the strength of character that he has come this far.'
The picture of Troy has been liked thousands of times and the family have reached their £5,000 fundraising target.
Abra said that when she told Troy how many interactions the photo received on Facebook, he couldn't believe it.
The family are now working with campaigner Katie Piper, who set up a foundation for burns victim after having acid thrown in her face in an attack arranged by an ex partner.
Abra said: 'Katie Piper has been great and is always asking about Troy, but she also offers the family support as well.
'She rang me just before Christmas, just to check that we were okay.
'It's good to hear from her perspective because she has been in the same situation as Troy.'
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