See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy CONNIE RUSK, ASSOCIATE SHOWBUSINESS EDITOR Published: 15:39 BST, 9 September 2026 | Updated: 15:48 BST, 9 September 2026
Adam Woodyatt has revealed his son Sam was knocked down by a car doing 56mph 10 years ago and miraculously survived after suffering severe life-threatening injuries. The EastEnders actor, 58, who is best known for playing Ian Beale on the soap, said he was raising money for the hospital where he was saved after the accident. A then 18-year-old Sam was crossing a road in Mile End when a car hit him at 56mph in a 30mph zone. The teenager was left with a fractured vertebrae, shattered pelvis and had to be confined to a wheelchair for two months. He had to be airlifted to hospital and was put in a medically-induced coma for several days, as surgeons slowly rebuilt his hip over five hours. Sam also suffered a significant head injury and memory loss. After relearning to walk he went on to run a marathon in four hours and 24 minutes. Adam Woodyatt has revealed his son Sam was knocked down by a car doing 56mph 10 years ago and miraculously survived after suffering severe life-threatening injuries (pictured 2017) The teenager was left with a fractured vertebrae, shattered pelvis and had to be confined to a wheelchair for two months Adam said on Instagram he will run four half marathons across four weekends to raise money for Bart's charity, who fund groundbreaking medical research and transformational healthcare projects across East London.He wrote: 'Some of you will know this, some of you won't. 10 years ago on 29th September 2016, my son Sam was walking to Mile End station when he got hit by a car doing 56mph. 'Somehow he not only survived but made a 100% recovery and I will always be grateful to the Royal London Hospital for all that they did for him. 'So I'm running four half marathons over four consecutive weekends starting with Shoreditch on the 20th September, Battersea, Victoria Park and finally Royal Parks on 11th October to raise money for Bart's Charity.'Fans wrote in the comments: 'Good luck Adam! What an amazing thing to do to support this wonderful service in the NHS. So happy to hear that your son made a good recovery'.'Good luck, Adam. I'm so glad your son was OK! These doctors and nurses are worth their weight in gold' Adam is also father to his daughter Jessica, 31, whom he shares with his ex-wife Beverley Sharp. The actor split from his wife in 2020, with their divorce finalised in 2022 after 22 years of marriage. Adam said on Instagram he will run four half marathons across four weekends to raise money for Bart's charity
