IPSWICH: I’m lucky to be alive.

Those were the sentiments of horror crash survivor Shaun De Silva who today spoke for the first time since being seriously hurt in an accident in St Matthews Street a fortnight ago.

The landlord of the Brewers Arms pub in Orford Street said he had been in the “wrong place at the wrong time” when the drama occurred as he walked to buy a newspaper. It is thought two vehicles collided, sending one of the cars crashing into Mr De Silva, who was thrown into a wall.

Thanking the emergency services as well as friends and family who have wished him a speedy recovery, the 52-year-old said he was grateful it wasn’t a child who had been knocked down.

Back at home in Orford Street, Mr De Silva – who is in plaster as he recovers from a broken leg and thumb – said he is facing a long road to recovery.

“I am in a lot of pain but I am alive,” he said. “I have come to terms with what happened.

“If I look at it logically I suppose I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. It could have been anyone – fortunately I wasn’t a child. I don’t think they would have survived.”

Mr De Silva was walking to buy a paper with a neighbour at around 6pm on Sunday, April 1, when the crash happened.

He said his last memory is turning to check there was no traffic coming to his right as he went to cross Barrack Lane, heading towards the Tesco Express at the Civic Drive roundabout.

“The next thing I remember is waking up in hospital and asking my wife what had happened,” said the businessman.

“I was hit from behind and thrown across the road into a wall. It could have been so much worse.

“I feel extremely lucky to be alive. I have severe whiplash, a broken leg and I’m in plaster – but I am here.”

Although home after an operation and treatment at Ipswich Hospital, Mr De Silva now faces a long road to recovery.

He said the messages of support from friends and family have helped him get through the difficult times since the accident.

“I am so grateful for all the cards and messages from people,” he added. “It has been a huge support.

“Who knows what I would have done if I didn’t have such wonderful staff. Everyone has stepped in to help.

“It has had a massive impact, I run three businesses and have gone from doing everything to being able to do nothing.

“We are getting through it, I just hope I am back up and running as soon as possible.

“I want to thank everyone, the emergency services and everyone who has been there since.”

n Send your messages of support to Shaun – write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail starletters@archant.co.uk