FORMER Abingdon United manager Andy Slater said he is lucky to be alive after being knocked off his bike just after Christmas.

The Yarnton man broke a shin bone in six places and a calf bone was snapped in half after he was struck from behind by a car on the A4095 between Witney and Long Hanborough on December 29.

After almost two weeks in hospital the man who led United until 2011 was allowed home on Friday, but faces a year-long road to recovery.

The father of 10-year-old Freya, 13-year-old George and Jess, 22, was on his way home on a 30-mile ride when he was hit. The driver of the car stopped and phoned an ambulance before Mr Ward passed out, later waking up in hospital.

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He said: “I am absolutely lucky to be alive. The police officer said in an accident involving a bike and a car you are lucky not to be dead or paralysed.

“The emergency services have been amazing. The NHS takes a bashing but they have been great.

“The prognosis is positive but it will take a lot of work and it will take about a year to get back to full fitness.”

Mr Ward, who is married to nurse Rachel, said the support of his family had been crucial for his recovery.

He said: “My friends and family have given me unbelievable support. I was hit on George’s 13th birthday so it wasn’t a great day for him and it has been very emotional.

“It is the start of a long road back to recovery.”

Mr Ward, who has been a keen cyclist for four years, said he is not going to be put off by the collision.

He said: “I cannot wait to get myself a new bike and become a middle-aged man in lycra again.

“I am looking forward to that and getting out and putting a few miles in.

“I had a helmet on and that saved my life. I had no head or neck injuries.”

He added: “People need to be aware that Oxfordshire’s roads are becoming more and more congested so people need to be more and more aware of bikes on the roads as a result.”

Nobody has been arrested or charged in connection with the collision.


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