Northern Ireland

Paralysed paramedic completes race a year after near-fatal collision

Paramedic Allister MacSorley completes a lap of the circuit at Armoy Races, a year after a collision at the event that left him paralysed. Picture by Stephen Davison
Paramedic Allister MacSorley completes a lap of the circuit at Armoy Races, a year after a collision at the event that left him paralysed. Picture by Stephen Davison Paramedic Allister MacSorley completes a lap of the circuit at Armoy Races, a year after a collision at the event that left him paralysed. Picture by Stephen Davison

A motorcycle paramedic who was left paralysed after a crash a year ago has completed a lap of the circuit where he nearly died.

Allister MacSorley (30), from Portadown, suffered life-changing injuries in July 2018 when he was involved in a collision with a medical van at the Armoy Races.

Twelve months on, the young 'flying doctor' returned to complete his lap on a specially-adapted bike to help "draw a line" under the accident.

He said it was "an amazing feeling to get back out on my bike and to wear that iconic (flying doctor) helmet that means so much to me, my family and entire racing community".

"To get to finish the lap was pretty special and seeing all of the medics, marshals and fans track side, cheering, clapping and waving their programmes, was pretty emotional," he told the BBC.

"I wanted to lift my hand off the handlebar and wave, but I couldn't because I'd lose my balance and fall off. I had no option but to pull the clutch in and rev the throttle, so that was my way of acknowledging the crowd.

"The whole thing was just exceptional and I'm still on cloud nine at being able to achieve this just 12 months on from the incident."

Mr MacSorley also revealed he is still working with the medical team at races.

He added: "This is quite significant, 12 months on and I'm back on a bike. I've finished my lap so I feel like I can put it to bed and draw a line under it and it's all about looking forward."