A GRATEFUL motorcyclist who suffered life-changing injuries in a horrific crash says he would not have survived if not for medics and his protective gear.

Andrew White, 26, was riding his Kawasaki behind a friend in a car in Woolverstone, when he moved to overtake after a signal from the driver.

He passed the car at a slow speed but his tyre slipped on a metal drain cover.

His hand slipped on the throttle and the bike rapidly reached high speeds, throwing Andrew more than 250 metres through bushes and a fence before he smashed into a verge.

He suffered life-changing injuries in the crash including fractures to his arm and leg, and damage to two vertebrae.

But without his protective gear, consisting of a jacket with backboard, specialist trousers and boots, Andy says he would not have lived to tell the tale.

He said were it not for the long boots holding his ankle in place, he would probably have lost his leg.

And without the backboard in his jacket, injuries to his spine would have been far more severe.

“Without a doubt, if I wasn’t wearing the right clothing I wouldn’t be here now,” he said.

“How I am still here even with the protective gear is a bit of a shock.

“I was always one of those people who thought if I’m just popping down the road to the shop ten minutes away, maybe I’ll just wear trainers.

“But this showed me that you don’t have to be doing high speeds down the A12, overtaking cars, to be in a horrific crash. That’s what scares me.

“Because I was conscious throughout the accident, I remember everything, and I think in many ways that’s made it quite hard.”

He was treated first at Ipswich Hospital, before being taken on to Addenbrooke’s Hospital for specialist surgery.

Andrew spent three days in intensive care, but made it back home last week in time for Christmas.

His fiancé, Charlotte, works at Colchester Hospital and frequently made the trip to Cambridge to see her partner in hospital.

Andrew, who works on the railways, may not be able to return to work for months.

A fundraiser set up to help the couple, who live in Capel St Mary, through the festive period has already reached almost £1,000.

Andrew added: “I want to thank the staff at Ipswich and Addenbrooke’s hospitals, and the ambulance crews who all saved my life.”