Biker left in agony over undiagnosed broken back

It was only when medics were preparing to send Tom Gannon home that they discovered how badly he was hurt.

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The 56-years-old retired engineering technician was badly hurt when he crashed headfirst into the ground after his off road motor bike hit a rock on remote moorland.

After being examined in casualty he was transferred to a ward and claims he spent two days in agony before a scan revealed a crushed vertebrae in his spine.

Now Tom, from Liversedge, West Yorks., has complained to hospital authorities and the Department of Health.

At one stage he says her was crying from pain and had to get his partner to call the hospital to get them to give him painkillers.

He said: "This was Third World health care and I am just thankful I haven't ended up crippled."

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A friend raised the alarm when Tom was thrown off his trials bike and landed on his head after going over the handlebars.

His rescue by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance was recently featured on TV's Helicopter Heroes, hosted by Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond, who was flown to hospital after crashing in a jet powered car.

But despite being in agony, it was two days before it was discovered that Tom had a broken back, two broken ribs and a broken sternum and clavicle.

He says that while he was in hospital in Harrogate, he was told to sit up by doctor, despite being hardly able to move.

When the scan revealed the extent of his injuries, Tom was immobilised.

He says a doctor told him: "Your injuries are worse than we thought. The only thing holding your upper chest together is your heart and the muscles around it.

Tom says he was also left in the same sweat soaked sheets for three days and a nurse forgot about him when he begged for painkillers

After eight days moved to hospital in Middlesbrough for further treatment but when he left there he was sent home to cope alone with back brace and pain killers and without being given a discharge letter.

Tom, who is still in a back brace and needs pain killers to help him sleep said: "The way I have been treated you would think I had broken my fingernail not my back.

"I am just grateful I am still walking. I could have ended up in wheelchair."

Harrogate NHS foundation trust carried out investigation and said that Tom was x-rayed on the day of admission and pain relief was available from outset.

They have offered him an "unreserved apology" for any shortfall in his level of care, adding: "The review of this case has highlighted areas where future improvements can be made"

South Tees NHS Trust said they were investigating his complaints.