Biker left trapped after shocking lorry crash in Essex thanks passers-by
Charlie Evans, 25, was travelling to his shift at a hospice charity shop when the crash occurred outside the Anne Boleyn pub on Sutton Road, Rochford. Although his bike was stolen and destroyed just days later, Charlie has thanked those who raced to help. 
"I was at the roundabout near the Anne Boleyn pub when a lorry collided with me at quite some speed," said Charlie.
"It left me trapped underneath my motorbike and completely unable to move." Within seconds of the crash last Monday, passers-by and those drinking at the nearby pub reacted immediately - rushing to Charlie's side and calling the emergency services. 
"A lad called Luke who had been at the pub just ran over and pulled the bike off of me," he said. "I was very fortunate that three of the women who also rushed over were nurses, and an off-duty fireman also offered to help. "Although I was taken to hospital, I very luckily came away with just grazes, bruising and lots of swelling."
Having been riding motorbikes for just under a year, Charlie, who volunteers at a Havens hospice charity shop, says the crash was the first serious incident he has been involved in. In the wake of the crash, Charlie had his GBP1,200 bike recovered and repaired, but devastatingly, it was stolen from his back garden just days later. "It was stolen and set on fire on Thursday," he said.
"I'd been having a bit of tough time recently, so Monday's experience restored my faith in humanity, and I'm holding onto that despite what later happened.
"I mainly just want to say thank you to everyone because they took care of everything and allowed me to just focus on being okay - I am so grateful."