An Oxford chef is recovering from horrific injuries after crashing to the ground from his cycle while riding home from his new job.

Anthony Harris

Anthony Harris had just finished a shift as head chef at Porters' restaurant in Little Clarendon Street when he came to grief on a cycle path as he was about to take a left turn into South Parks Road.

He misjudged a change in height in the cycleway as he rounded a blind bend and was pitched foward on to his face.

Mr Harris, of Marston Road, Oxford, was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital with his neck broken in two places, a smashed cheek bone and broken nose, and wounds to his face requiring 40 stitches.

Mr Harris, who was being followed by his girlfriend, Rose Wheeler, was not wearing a safety helmet at the time, which might have prevented some of his injuries.

The incident took place at about 10pm on Sunday (April 23) as he made a left turn into South Parks Road.

Miss Wheeler's father, George, said: "He came around the corner and attempted to make a left turn at the junction which is a blind spot due to the large building situated there.

"When he came round the corner, the cycle path at this point is approximately 34 centimetres higher than the road level, but in the darkness, appears to be on the same level.

"He misjudged this and proceeded onwards to the edge of the cycle track, thinking it was on the same level as the road he wanted to join.

"At which point his front wheel dropped away on to the road surface below, which made his bike pitch forward, throwing him on to his head and face."

His girlfriend, Miss Wheeler, immediately went to his aid, helped by other members of the public until an ambulance arrived.

Mr Wheeler said: "It has been diagnosed that he has broken his neck in two places, has smashed cheek bones, and severe lacerations to the forehead exposing the skull requiring 40 stitches, and a broken nose.

"He also has other severe facial lacerations and has also sustained damage to his lower spine.

"Doctors are having to take bone from his hip to repair the two breaks to his neck.

"Unfortunately he was not wearing a helmet at the time which would have almost definitely have protected him from some of his more serious injuries."