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I want my prosthetic leg back, says swimmer

Richard Madden & Simon Spark
BBC News
BBC A woman sits on a sofa and looks into the camera. She has blonde hair, tied back, and is wearing a blue top.BBC
Brenda Ogden was swimming in the sea with a prosthetic leg for the first time

A woman has described the "chaotic" moment she was hit by a wave and lost her prosthetic leg during her first open-water swim.

Brenda Ogden, 68, joined the Flamborough Flippers for a swim at Bridlington on Sunday when her £2,000, custom-made titanium blade was lost in the sea.

"I was in the water when I was knocked backwards. I went one way, my leg went the other," she said. "It had gone, it had completely disappeared."

In the days since the incident, members of the 22-strong swimming group have been patrolling the beach in the hope of finding the leg.

A woman sits on a sofa. She has blonde hair and is wearing a blue top and dark jeans with her prosthetic leg on display. The sofa is covered in floral cushions and colourful blankets. The room has cream walls and a green plant is visible in the background.
Mrs Ogden wearing one of her prosthetic legs. She hopes people will help her find the blade she lost in the sea

Mrs Ogden, who is a keen runner, suffered multiple injuries in a car crash four years ago, when she lost her leg and broke her back.

She joined the swimming group as a way of challenging herself before she turns 70.

"I was really excited and got myself a good swimming costume. I met the ladies on the beach and we were having a nice time, but then I was hit by the wave," she said.

"After it happened I tried to swim a little bit, got on to the beach and sat there. I didn't know what to do because I couldn't get up."

Flamborough Flippers A group of women in costumes and wetsuits, most with hats on, posing for the camera on a beach. The sky is blue and people are walking on a promenade in the background.Flamborough Flippers
The Flamborough Flippers have been searching the water line at the North Beach in Bridlington

Sara Miles, a member of the group who tried to help Mrs Ogden, said the sea was "a bit wavy" at the time.

"She was having a good time and she wanted a picture to prove she'd done it.

"She was on her way out and a wave just took her and knocked her over. That was when her leg fell off."

The group started a search of the beach and even enlisted a drone pilot to help, but the leg could not be found.

A head and shoulders shot of a woman with short red hair, who is wearing a black hoodie and sunglasses on her head. She is smiling and standing in front of a beach.
Ms Miles says it was disappointing for the incident to happen during Mrs Ogden's first swim

Two other members of the group, Deborah Richardson, 44, and Sue Tozer, 66, have been taking part in the searches.

"It will be in good condition as it is meant for the water," Ms Richardson said.

Ms Tozer, who encouraged Mrs Ogden to take part in the swim, said: "We're a friendly group and like anyone to join us and feel welcome.

"If anyone's dog comes running out with a blade, we need it back.

"Brenda wants her leg back."

Additional reporting by Eleanor Maslin.

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