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War veteran Joe Townsend descends into Olympic stadium

Joe Townsend descends into the stadium with the Paralympic Flame Credit: Press Association

The Paralympic Flame made a stunning entrance into the Olympic Park last night, carried by Royal Marine Joe Townsend.

Townsend descended on a 115 metre zip wire from the Olympic Park's Orbit sculpture into the park.

Joe Townsend in the Olympic park last night Credit: Press Association

Townsend joined the army at 17, and was five months into his first tour of duty in Afghanistan when he lost both legs after stepping on a mine. He is hoping to take part in the triathlon at the Rio 2016 Paralympics.

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