The artist behind the breathtaking Tower of London poppy memorial lost a finger while creating the display.
Ceramic artist Paul Cummins has revealed his hand was injured in an industrial roller as he made one of the flowers for the tribute named Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red. It left him without a middle finger and the use of his index finger.
He said he has not been able to make any poppies since the mishap in May, but plans to return to work in six months.
The 37-year-old told the Daily Mirror: “I did nearly kill myself halfway through. We had to rally the troops. Morphine helped.”
There will be 888,246 poppies planted at the Tower of London by Armistice Day on November 11, each one representing a British and Colonial death during the First World War.
The Queen planted a poppy at the memorial earlier this month and met Mr Cummins.
A final poppy will be planted on November 11.
The Tower of London poppy display - in pictures
Thousands of people have rushed to snap up their own ceramic poppy while four million people are expected to have visited the display by Armistice Day.
