Mike Bacon speaks to Lewis Kerr, who has recovered from life-threatening injuries to make his speedway return with the Witches in 2016.
No-one needs to tell Lewis Kerr how lucky he is.
The 25-year-old spent 10 days in hospital back in August after an horrific high-speed crash at Peterborough that knocked him unconscious and saw him stop breathing. He was in a coma for three days.
Fortunately he came out of it and within a week left hospital and was on the mend back at his Norfolk home. Now, fully recovered, the Norfolk-based star will be donning Ipswich Witches kevlars in 2016 – and he couldn’t be more excited.
“Obviously the crash was a bad time for me and my family,” Kerr, pictured below, said.
“But to be honest I’m back to how I was before the crash.
“I have no side-effects, nothing. I’m training fully and can’t wait to get back on a bike and race for Ipswich next year.
“I know I’m very lucky but not racing again was never in my thoughts. It was never in doubt.
“I knew I would race again one day, mentally I know it won’t affect me. I was delighted Chris Louis came after me.”
Kerr started at No.3 for Newcastle Diamonds last season and nudged his way to the No.1 position with a string of impressive performances.
Indeed, when the Diamonds came to Foxhall in May in a Premier League fixture, Kerr rocketed to 14 points as Newcastle took the honours in a five-point victory.
“I enjoyed that meeting, that’s for sure,” Kerr laughed.
“And I always wanted to come to Ipswich to be honest, so I can’t wait for the season to start.”
Kerr has not raced since his crash, but he intends to start testing after Christmas, his friendship with Danny King another good reason he can’t wait for the 2016 season to begin.
“Danny and I are good mates,” he said.
“He has told me all about Ipswich and what a good club it is. The team looks strong and I’m looking forward to it all.
“It looks like a team that will get on with each other and that’s important.”
After the crash a fund was set-up for Kerr and his wife Jessie. It raised more than £11,000 such was the public concern and care for his well-being. It is something Kerr has been hugely grateful for.
“My brother-in-law is a builder and I worked for him last winter,” he said.
“But I can concentrate on my training this winter, knowing all the bills will be paid. I can’t thank all those who donated enough and I can’t wait for the start of the new season.”
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