STEVE ON THE MEND
STEVE Edwards can vividly remember the accident that almost took his life and left him with a body full of metal.
He can also recall being in an induced coma for four weeks and fearing he might lose a leg after his 750cc Yamaha came off second best in a collision with a Scana truck.
“The injuries were life threatening,” said the 49-year-old from Glossop’s Highfield Road.
“I broke my hip, femur, fibia and tibia, I had to have a cage on my leg, I had screws and pins all over the place.
“In fact I am still waiting to have them taken out.”
But Steve has confounded the surgeons at Sheffield Hospital with an almost full recovery.
And this week the former lorry driver opened his own business.
Steve, who has set up PAT Plus, a portable appliance testing station, at the Exchange on High Street West, is only working a few hours while he builds up his strength.
But as he tested another piece of electrical equipment, he told the Chronicle: “I suppose I am lucky to be alive.”
Steve’s almost crippling injuries came when he was riding his Yamaha through Ashford-on-the-Water.
“It was a lovely sunny day, I saw the truck coming around the corner, it was purple,” he said.
“I remember thinking what a funny colour it was.”
Then there was a collision and he was rushed by air ambulance to a specialist treatment centre.
Because of the accident Steve will never be able to get on a bike again or drive HGVs.
That’s why he is forging a new career.
“I am offering a testing management system from one item to 1,000-plus,” said Steve.
“It could be anything from a builder who is not allowed on site until his 110 volt transformer is PAT tested.
“To bands who can’t get a gig because their gear hasn’t been tested.”
Steve puts part of his amazing recovery down to his Jack Russell dogs for getting him back on his feet.
“They needed taking out and I was the only one to do it,” he said.
“They make me get out of bed in the morning.”
Although Steve’s recovery has been remarkable, he knows he has a way to go before he’s 100 per cent again.
Ask him about the most strenuous thing he does and Steve says with a smile: “Putting the washing on the line!”
