A FORMER serviceman from Swindon, who lost both his legs as a result of an explosion in Afghanistan, has finished in sixth place at the opening race of the Para-bobsleigh season at the Canada Olympic Park in Calgary.

Corie Mapp, who is supported by Help for Heroes’ Sports Recovery programme, took to the ice in the second World Cup series and will now head to Park City, Utah, for the second and third races of the season this weekend.

The former Lance Corporal competed in the inaugural World Cup series last year, in which he made history by winning the first-ever para bobsleigh World Cup Gold medal in Igls, Austria, in January before finishing second in the series.

Mapp lost both legs when his military vehicle ran over an explosive device in Afghanistan in 2010.

The explosion resulted in his left leg being completely severed, while his right leg later had to be amputated. He also had severe injuries to his left hand, a collapsed lung and a broken jaw.