IT is a shocking scene that leaves you holding your breath.

This building site accident that led to a builder losing his leg when a cottage collapsed on him in Colehill is to be recreated on the BBC show Real Rescues.

James O’Connor, who was trapped for two hours as rubble from the crumbling building pushed him into the teeth of his stationery digger, says it is to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Service’s credit that he escaped at all.

As well as appearing on TV, Mr O’Connor is holding a fun day at The Holly Tree, in Bournemouth, to help the stretched charity, which landed twice on Colehill First School playing field to bring paramedics, doctors and anaesthetists to his aid in April 2009.

“I owe my life to the Air Ambulance,” he said. “I would have almost certainly died if it hadn’t been for them. I’m lucky to be alive, and just want to try and thank them any way I can.”

While stuck he rang his partner himself to let her know.

“I just called to say I love you,” he said. “And I think I’ve lost my leg.”

The 38-year-old, who was then driven from the quiet cul-de-sac where he lay in agony to Poole Hospital, says he’s coming to terms with having a prosthetic leg and hopes to return to work one day.

It’s a long process – changes in the amputated stump can mean getting seven different models fitted in a year until one “takes”.

“I’m very slowly getting there,” he said.

“My partner and I have been to hell and back.

“It took a year for the wound to heal, and now I’m learning to walk again.

“That’s the main thing at the moment.”

Mr O’Connor would like to thank the Mobile Emergency Response Incident Team and the nurse from Winton Health Centre who visited daily to change his bandages.

Filming starts next month. The show will be screened later this year.

The fundraiser at The Holly Tree, in Wimborne Road, Moordown, starts at noon on Sunday, August 29, and includes a hog roast, BBQ, bouncy castle, children’s entertainment and an assault course.

Raffle prizes include a weekend away.