Surgeons battle to save biker’s leg after crash

It is believed 46-year-old David Maynard, who owns Alleycat Tyres, will now have to spend at least six months in hospital, but medics have so far managed to avoid amputating the badly injured limb.

A Ford Mondeo hit his 110 Yamaha Virago motorbike in Baxter Avenue, Southend, at about 4pm on Friday.

His left leg took the full impact of the collision, breaking the tibia, fibia and shattering his knee cap.

His father, Brian Maynard, 73, who lives in Mendip Crescent, Westcliff , was on the scene within five minutes, but paramedics had already whisked him off to hospital.

He said: “They said they may have to amputate his leg on Friday. But they fought all that night and Saturday and hopefully they’ve now saved his leg, as long as he doesn’t get an infection, which is always a possibility with any big operation. The surgeons did a wonderful job.”

When he saw David’s leg, he said it had swollen to more than double its size and was bruised yellow and black. His father added: “He’s got some sort of scaffolding around his leg.

“He has been told he will have plates and pins. Friday night was rough, but I’m just relieved.”

Brian, who used to run Alleycat Tyres before passing the company to his son, has now had to come out of retirement to keep it going.

The company has bases in London Road, Leigh , Stock Road, Southend, and Rayleigh Road, Eastwood.

He said: “I can’t let the firm go to pot, but that’s neither here nor there, I’ve got to keep it afloat.”

David, of Surbiton Road, Southend, is set to have at least two more operations, as doctors cannot fix all the bones in one go.

His father added: “David’s very popular. He’s known for all the bikes he’s got. He’s a very experienced motorcyclist and a careful rider.”

The driver of the Mondeo avoided prosecution, after being given the option to take a driving course instead. A police spokeswoman said: “The driver of the Mondeo has been recommended for the Driver Improvement Scheme.”