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'My life has been a whirlwind since Colombia crash'

Daniel Gardiner Luke Tarrant, sitting on a green sofa, looking at the camera and smiling. He is wearing a white top, with several silver necklaces, rings and a silver bracelet. He has shorts on, you can see one knee and the start of an artificial leg. Daniel Gardiner
Luke Tarrant said people now recognised him and spoke to him in the street

An adventurer has told how his life had been a "total whirlwind" since losing his leg in a motorcycle crash in South America six months ago.

Luke Tarrant, 29, from Bedford, said no longer having two legs had "impacted my life hugely".

In May 2024, he crashed his bike in Colombia and was left fighting for his life in hospital after contracting sepsis.

He said he has had to adapt to no longer being "spontaneous" as he has to plan just to have a shower.

Jack Aldred Luke Tarrant, lying in a hospital bed, with an arm in a black sling, with an oxygen mask on, hooked up to two machines, wearing a white hospital gown, with two legs in bandages and one leg amputated. He has his eyes closed. Jack Aldred
While in hospital Mr Tarrant contracted sepsis, had blood clots and fluid on his lungs, while suffering from a broken collarbone, fingers, hand and right leg

Mr Tarrant said he does not remember the crash, which happened close to Medellín, Colombia.

After spending a month in hospital he was sent, via air ambulance, to a trauma ward in London, and then to an amputee rehabilitation unit.

"Honestly, it's been a total whirlwind," he said.

"I go to bed and I have a dream about normal life, walking down the beach with two legs and getting on my bike - and then I wake up."

Luke Tarrant Luke Tarrant, lying in a hospital bed, outside, eating an ice cream, with a bandaged arm, tubes coming out his other arm, with his parents, Daniela and David Tarrant behind him and behind a bed. David has his arm around Daniela, he is wearing a dark T-shirt and Daniela, a floral dress, with long fair hair. David is wearing glasses. Luke Tarrant
While in hospital in Colombia his parents, Daniela and David Tarrant visited him, and took him outside so he could have an ice cream

He said before his crash he had about 1,500 Instagram followers, as he used the platform to update people about his condition.

He now has about 324,000.

"Before I had a fairly negative view of social media, as it can be used as a way of showing off," he said.

"I'm trying to use it as a force for good. I try to be completely honest - if I'm having a bad day, I will speak about it."

Luke Tarrant Luke Tarrant, holding two crutches, standing by several rows of yellow rowing boats on racks. He is smiling, wearing denim shorts, a black top, with a bag across him. He he has short dark hair. One leg has lots of tattoos. Luke Tarrant
Luke is now rowing again, an activity he used to do as a child

"I will say if I can't put my prosthetic leg on and that I've been in a wheelchair for four days", he said.

"I never used to think about things too much and just hop out of bed, go on a trek, go to a waterfall, be spontaneous, but now even if I have a shower I have to plan.

"It's the opposite of how I used to live.

"I didn't anticipate being back in the UK having one leg. I didn't plan on thinking about the future."

Brett Cove Luke at the Pride of Britain Awards wearing a blue suit, with white shirt and black bowtie, he has a red poppy on his lapel and there are people behind him. He is smiling, with a moustache and is looking straight at the camera. There is a purple banner behind him and Pride of Britain banner, dropping down.Brett Cove
Mr Tarrant attended the Pride of Britain awards on 21 October

The gym enthusiast, who now lives in London, gave up his five-year career in investment banking to travel.

He has now taken up rowing again and has ambitions of possibly joining the Paralympic rowing team.

A film telling the story of what happened to him is also being discussed.

"I've realised life can't be predicted, I feel like I'm in a weird parallel universe," he said.

"I've met people who I never thought I'd meet, I've been invited to events I would not have been invited to, like the Pride of Britain Awards, and I've had experiences I never dreamed of, both good and bad.

"My goal is to have an interesting life - while it has been tough - no one can't say it hasn't been an interesting one."

Luke Tarrant Luke sitting in a wheelchair, holding an artificial leg, he is smiling, with a cap on and looking straight at the camera. He is wearing a black T-shirt, green shorts and you can see one leg with tattoos on and another that has been amputated below the knee. He has padding on the side of the chair. A door is behind him. Luke Tarrant
Mr Tarrant said when he was feeling bad he pushed himself to go to the gym and keep fit

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