A MOTORCYCLIST who had his leg amputated following a horrific crash which almost killed him has thanked the “angels” who saved his life.

Former motorbike racer Geoffrey Blower, 76, from Rayleigh, was thrown eight metres into metal railings, after a collision with a car at the junction of London Road and Victoria Avenue, Rayleigh, on June 17.

The grandfather-of-three suffered a broken right lower leg, a fractured pelvis, internal bleeding and was left fighting for his life, after being taken to the Royal London Hospital for specialist treatment.

His leg was amputated above the knee and he is now visiting the walking school at Southend Hospital once a week to learn to use his prosthetic leg.

He recently met the paramedics who treated him at the scene and thanked them for saving his life.

He said: “They are angels. If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be here now.

“I had no idea until I met them how badly I was injured. They said they weren’t expecting me to make it to the hospital.

“I can’t say enough to thank them and the staff at the Royal London either. I must have had a hundred different people care for me while I was there.

“People are very quick to knock the NHS, but my God – when you need them they do everything they can to help you.”

Widower Geoffrey spent around 12 weeks in care, moving from the Royal London back to Southend and eventually Rosedale Court care home.

He is now back in his own home though and four weeks after receiving his new leg, is getting used to walking again.

He added: “I try not to think about it too much when I’m alone, but both my son and daughter, and my friends have been fantastic in helping out.

“I’ve not had a full night’s sleep since the incident as I have pain in my shoulders and elbows from walking on crutches.

“But I had a full day on my leg yesterday and I slept through until 5am this morning, so I’m getting there. I’ve been on an exercise bike so we’ll see how that goes before I’m back on a motorcycle.”

‘I SAW MYSELF FLYING THROUGH THE AIR, FACE DOWN’

GEOFFREY Blower can still recall the horrifying moment he looked down after the crash and saw his leg pointing in the wrong direction.

He suffered a broken tibia and fibula which eventually led to the amputation, and his pelvis had to be pinned together.

He said: “I don’t know if it’s a vision or a real memory, but I can see myself flying through the air, face down, with my legs straight out behind me.

“The next thing I remember is being on the floor, face up, with my leg pointing at right angles to where it should be, so I pushed it back into place myself.”

Ian Callow, from Canvey, was the first paramedic on scene.

He said: “His leg was in a very bad way and he was in a lot of pain.

“He had a suspected internal haemorrhage and his blood pressure was very low which meant he needed treatment there on the road.”

A second crew arrived shortly after with ambulance officer Steve Ferrant and voluntary accident rescue service doctor Paul Gates, both from Rayleigh, on board.

The trio visited Geoffrey at Southend Hospital walking school’s Christmas party to check on his progress.

Mr Callow added: “It was a real team effort to treat him.

“He was in a life threatening condition.”