Seriously-injured biker survives three days in ditch after accident

Anthony Margrave, 40, had been trying out a new bike and was just 20 minutes from home when the accident happened.

He spent three nights in the open while a major search operation was underway, involving the South Yorkshire Police helicopter, officers and family and friends, and was finally found on Friday, six feet down in a ditch at the side of the busy A614, lying in water.

Mr Margrave, who suffered a fractured spine, broken ribs and hypothermia, was put into a medically-induced coma at Doncaster Royal Infirmary but has since had a tracheotomy and has been woken up.

His sister Sharon said the 40-year-old, who lives in Rawcliffe Bridge, was not yet “out of the woods”, adding: “The ditch was just so deep, he was out of sight, he said he could hear cars going past and horses, but he didn’t think anyone was going to come and get him. He was in and out of consciousness. It must have been horrendous.

“He remembers veering towards the field, but he doesn’t remember much about the accident. He remembers waking up and worrying because he couldn’t move his head and neck, and bugs being on his face and not being able to move his arms.

“We want to say a big thank you to Humberside Police, they went beyond the call of duty, even after he was found we got a text from one of the police officers asking if he was OK and to say everyone was rooting for him.”

Ms Margrave said it had been an emotional roller coaster. “We didn’t sleep or eat. Every time the phone rang we thought it was going to be the police with bad news. It was just awful.”

Police believe Mr Margrave hit a metal signpost on the offside of the carriageway and then travelled about 200m further before coming to rest in the ditch.

Inspector Rob Cocker said: “All officers feared the worst and it was very pleasing to find the man alive and hope him well with his recovery. It is a credit to his determination that he is still alive.”