A YORK mountain biking enthusiast has returned to the scene of a serious crash to complete one of local cycling’s great challenges.

Ivan Astbury, 55, of Bishopthorpe, was seriously injured last year while competing in the annual Hamsterley Beast event.

He decided to lay his demons to rest by completing the 20-mile course, raising £2,000 for charity in the process.

The event takes place in Hamsterley Forest, County Durham.

In August 2017, Ivan had to be airlifted to hospital while competing in the race. He has no memory of the accident and there were no witnesses to it.

In the crash, Ivan sustained a broken scapula, a bleed on the brain, nerve damage to his eye, a dislocated finger, a broken shoulder blade, bruising to the jaw and face and numerous cuts and bruises.

The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) team placed Ivan in an induced coma before flying him to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

The father-of-two spent six days in hospital and has made a good recovery, although he is still unable to see out of his right eye, due to nerve damage.

After his ordeal, Ivan and his two sons, Matthew, 29, and Sam, 31, decided to sign up for this year’s Beast, which took place on Sunday, May 13, to raise money for GNAAS.

His wife Sally also volunteered as a marshal and proudly watched her family take part in the gruelling ride. She said: “I was getting worried waiting for Ivan to pass by, but once I saw his distinctive orange and purple helmet coming over the little hills I was relieved.

“He even cycled over the part where he had his accident.

“I’m proud of all my family to taking part, but Ivan has been through a lot so it was good to see him complete it.”

GNAAS are looking for ‘ground crew’ volunteers for events. For details see www.greatnorthairambulance.co.uk/fundraise/volunteer.