Motorcyclist left in road with severed leg by hit-run van driver

A MOTORCYCLIST today told how he was left dying by two van drivers after losing his leg in a hit-and-run accident.

City worker Kwasi Bonsu was thrown from his black Kawasaki 600cc after he was forced to avoid a van which had swerved into his lane.

The bank analyst crashed into a sign post with such an impact that it severed his right leg, below the knee, which was later found farther up the road.

As Mr Bonsu lay bleeding heavily on the pavement another van became caught up in the motorcycle wreckage on the A13, near Plaistow.

But rather than help Mr Bonsu, the driver and passenger simply moved the motorbike from underneath the vehicle and drove off. Mr Bonsu was saved after a tractor driver pulled over to call 999 and a woman passer-by stopped him from passing out.

Paramedics were forced to amputate his right leg from above the knee at the scene, and he suffered multiple fractures to his left leg. He was revived in hospital and underwent nine hours of surgery. The graduate, who has a Masters degree in Industrial Mathematical Modelling, has had a further 14 operations and is due to have three more.

Recalling the moments before the accident, Mr Bonsu said his speed was no more than 40mph as he travelled on the A13 and prepared to come off at a slip road near his home in Plaistow. He said: "It was an open road and I wanted to turn into the street near my house. For whatever reason the van came into my lane and jumped on the brakes. I came off my bike.

"The next thing I remember was a lady telling me to 'keep your eyes open'. I must have looked sleepy. I don't know who came to my aid but I would love to thank them for what they did."

The keen sportsman has been helped through his ordeal by his family and his Christian faith. He faces up to eight months' rehabilitation and physiotherapy before a prosthetic leg can be fitted. He said: "I am glad to be alive but I am now missing a major part of my life. I am determined to walk again. I have to be determined to get back out there and hopefully to do the things I want to do. I have had eight weeks to think about my future and it is a long way ahead before I can walk again."

Mr Bonsu says he has forgiven the van driver. He said: "I can't see how holding a grudge is going to bring my leg back. But I was surprised that so few people stopped, although they may have not realised the severity of the accident."

Dc Tom Parker of the Met's collision investigation unit appealed for the public's help to trace the driver of the blue panel van and the driver and passenger of the white van.

Police have tracked the blue van to where it left the A13 at the Prince Regent Lane junction. Any other witnesses who may have been on the A13 or New Barn Street on Thursday 21 August at about 3.10pm is asked to contact the unit on 020 7230 3908 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.