Motorcyclist thanks community response after devastating crash
Kingsley Elliff, 66, says his local community helped him to stay positive after a devastating motorcycle accident. Photo: Kingsley Elliff - Credit: Archant
Despite breaking several bones in a motorcycle crash, Kingsley Elliff was able to remain positive with help from neighbours.
"The outpouring of love and aggectioion is amazing. It shows what a beautiful town Haleswroth is," he said. Photo: Kingsley Elliff - Credit: Archant
At the end of July, the 66-year-old was riding his new Harley Davidson through his home town of Halesworth when he was involved in a devastating collision which put him in hospital for four days.
He said: "It's a T-junction with poor visibility. The car went one way and I went under the car."
"I woke up in hospital, and I had broken my shoulder in two places, broken seven ribs, collapsed a lung because of all the bruising, and I broke a bone a middle finger.
"Apart from obvious shock, it left me pretty incapacitated."
Mr Elliff, who broke his shoulder in two places, seven ribs, one finger, and suffered a collapsed lung because of bruising, is still able to smile. Photo: Kingsley Elliff - Credit: Archant
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Mr Elliff, who describes himself as "famous for Halesworth" and "well known for being outspoken on all sorts of things, and having fun banter with people", said he was surprised to wake up in hospital and see a Facebook post made about the accident.
"I have a pretty noticeable motorcycle and people were asking if I was alright and what happened. When they knew it was me it went from that to wonderful banter - people saying I'm a pain in the arse but I'm their pain in the arse," he said.
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After he was finally able to go home, the avid biker said he was shocked by how kind the community had been in responding.
"Wherever we went people - some I knew and some I had never met - were saying thank goodness I was alright.
After his accident, Mr Elliff said: "My shoulder aches like hell, but it reminds me I'm not dead.". Photo: Kingsley Elliff - Credit: Archant
"I had an 83-year-old man knock on my door and ask if I wanted any shopping.
"The outpouring of love and affection is amazing. It shows what a beautiful, fantastic town Halesworth is. It's the best place I have ever lived."
Mr Elliff added he had struggled with his mental health until recently.
He said: "I've not always been so positive, it put things into perspective and got me out of a desperate position."
"It's all very much in the mind how you approach things," he said.
