Bunting reveals he was almost blinded in horror school accident

STEPHEN BUNTING feared his darts dream was over after a freak accident left him with a haemorrhage in his EYE.

The world No9 was only 14 when a stone thrown across the playground struck him in the face and left him fearing for his sight.

Bunting, 41, was forced to miss six months of school and continued making regular hospital visits for the next year-and-a-half.

The Liverpudlian underwent several major operations and opticians can still see the scar behind his eye.

He wrote in his book Bulletproof: “My darts career was almost over before it had even begun. I was 14. It happened at school.

“I was out in the playground with my mates. We were playing football, just having a good time like normal, when I felt this intense pain in my eye.

“Somebody had hurled a giant stone across the playground. I hadn’t even realised something had happened. All I knew was that I was in a hell of a lot of pain.

“The stone had come out of nowhere. I’ve always worn my glasses halfway down my nose and this stone came straight towards me, hitting me square in the eye.

“I don’t think anyone meant it. If they did, it was a great shot.

“I was rushed to hospital. It became clear this was serious. Every time I laid down, blood would run across my eyeball. I had a haemorrhage in my right eye.

“I was off school for six months. I had to sleep sitting up. And I couldn’t play darts.

“It was pretty traumatic. I had a few major operations and it was rough at times.

“Even now when I go to the opticians, they can still see the scar behind my eye.

“When you’re off school for six months and unable to do the thing you love most, you have a lot of time to think.

“I thought I was going to lose my sight. I was so lucky I didn’t.

“I was constantly worrying about whether I would ever play again.

“Being off school for that long was tough. You’re falling behind with classes, missing your mates.

“My whole world had been turned upside down. Even when I got back to normal, I was back and forth to the hospital for the following 18 months.

“I had a lucky escape. I was young, but I’d learned a valuable lesson.

“Your life can change in an instant. I vowed to make the most of the opportunities coming my way.

“As soon as I could play darts again, I practised even harder than before. I’d been given a second chance to do what I loved. I wasn’t going to let it slide.”

Bunting has gone on to enjoy a stellar career, winning the BDO World Championship in 2014 before becoming a PDC Masters champion two years ago.

Pre-order BULLETPROOF below, on sale September 10. Go to: https://linktr.ee/BulletproofStephenBunting

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning