boxing day 2012: Missing motorcyclist discovered seriously hurt in a ditch THREE DAYS after crash

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Missing motorcyclist discovered seriously hurt in a ditch THREE DAYS after crash

Anthony Margrave, 40, went out to test his new motorcycle on September 11

He was reported missing by his partner the following day but not found until September 14

He suffered hypothermia, a fractured spine, and broken ribs

Expects to remain in hospital for another six months

By Daniel Miller

PUBLISHED: 08:36 EST, 27 December 2012 | UPDATED: 08:39 EST, 27 December 2012

Recovery: Anthony Margrave, 40, spent three days in a ditch after crashing his motorcycle

A motorcyclist who lay severely injured in a ditch for almost three days before miraculously being found alive has spoken for the first time about his terrifying ordeal.

Anthony Margrave, 40, sparked a huge police search of rivers, reservoirs fields, ditches, houses and gardens when he went missing after setting off from his home in Rawcliffe Bridge, East Yorks., to test out his new Yamaha motorcycle.

He had crashed and tumbled into a 6ft-deep ditch during the accident on September 11.

His cries for help went unheard but he couldn’t save himself due to the extent of his injuries and was forced to wait until he was found. Incredibly, in the early hours of the third search day a small amount of debris was found at the side of a road by Humberside Police officers, who launched a search of the immediate area.

Anthony was found alongside the busy A614 later the same day, between East Cowick and Thorne, lying in the water-filled ditch, conscious and breathing.

Mr Margrave was rushed to Doncaster Royal Infirmary where he was sedated and placed on a ventilator in intensive care.

He was suffering from hypothermia, a fractured spine, broken ribs and needed surgery to clear his airway.

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Rescue: A missing motorcyclist has been found seriously injured in a ditch near this A-road in South Yorkshire - almost three days after he crashed

Rescue: Anthony Margrave crashed while out testing his new motorcycle on this A-road in South Yorkshire and was not discovered for three days

Lucky Anthony, who suffered hypothermia, dehydration and severe injuries including a fractured spine, has now spoken out from Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital about how lucky he is to be alive - and how he hopes to be back home within six months.

'It’s a miracle how they ever found me,' he said.

'I have a spinal cord injury which means I am going to be in a wheelchair for quite a while but I am here and that’s the main thing.

'I couldn’t even move my arms at first, I’ve got a lot of movement back but it’s not brilliant. I still can’t bend my fingers but time will tell, I’m just taking every day as it comes.

'It could be six months or a year before I get out of hospital but I have been progressing really well so I am hoping for six months.'

It is thought Anthony collided with a metal signpost on the off-side of the carriageway and travelled approximately 200 metres further along the carriageway before coming to rest in the ditch where he was hidden from view.

Scene: A motorcyclist travels along the A614, north of Thorne, close to the spot where the injured biker was found

Scene: A motorcyclist travels along the A614, north of Thorne, close to the spot where Anthony was found (file picture)

According to his sister Sharon Margrave, 42, his first concerns were for his bike and he was devastated to learn it was a complete write-off.

Anthony spent Christmas Day in hospital where he was visited by his sister Sharon and her two children.

Speaking after Anthony was found, Sharon, 42, said: 'Relief isn’t the word, he went missing on the Tuesday night and he was found on Friday morning.

'When you think your brother’s dead, it’s an horrendous ordeal. We couldn’t eat or sleep, our niece and family were searching fields, they were looking in fields and could hear the police helicopter.

'It’s a miracle he was found alive, he doesn’t know what happened, he remembers heading towards the field and then the ditch. He couldn’t move to get to his phone'.

VIDEO: The ditch where Andy Margrave was found, 3 days later

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