Schoolboy biker recovering from horrific Chorley smash in warning to other riders (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Schoolboy biker recovering from horrific Chorley smash in warning to other riders

10:50am Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Brinscall By Chris Gee, Reporter

A SCHOOLBOY, recovering from horrific injuries after crashing his motorcycle, has warned other young bikers to take care on the roads.

Matthew Hansford, 16, from Brinscall, was given just a two per cent chance of survival by surgeons after colliding with a telegraph pole after swerving to avoid a fox.

The incident, in which no other vehicle was involved, happened on Blackburn Brow, Chorley, on November 1, just 10 days after Matthew’s 16th birthday, the day he bought the 50cc scooter.

He was given 37 pints of blood and spent time on a life support machine after suffering a collapsed lung, heart damage, torn kidneys and fractured ribs.

After several operations and more than three weeks in a critical condition, Matthew began to improve and is now at home making a slow recovery.

He said: “It’s difficult but I’m getting better little by little. I can’t walk unaided for any distance and I still have blood clot issues in my heart area.

“The main thing is I’m still here and I’m determined to get better.”

Matthew, who is a year 11 pupil at Moor Hey school in Preston had completed a computer-based learning course on riding motorcycles prior to venturing onto the road.

He also made sure he was wearing the correct protective clothing.

“Wearing a proper bike jacket and helmet definitely saved my life,” he said.

“I wouldn’t put anyone of getting a bike but I would say get the safest clothing and equipment and never mess around or take risks.”

Matthew’s mum Alison, who represents Wheelton and Withnell as a borough councillor, is now helping her son recover, along with dad Steve and sister, Victoria, 17.

Mrs Hansford said: “At one stage we thought Matthew’s chances were very slim. But typically for him, he thought of others and before one of the operations he told me about his donor card and his wishes should the worst happen.

“The surgeon said his young age helped him survive and we’re just all so relieved that he’s improving.”

Incredibly Matthew, has said he wants to return to motorcycles and join the British Legion Riders, a group who attend military funerals and repatriations.

“It’s something very important to me. In fact one the first rides I did between my birthday and the accident was the Poppy Appeal launch between Blackburn and Manchester.”