Investigation into motorbike accident

Dean Doherty is facing years of rehabilitation is he is ever to regain the ability to walk after a suffering a severe spinal injury in a crash at a motocross track in Magilligan.

The Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has confirmed they are conducting an investigation into the incident. The investigation has been welcomed by Dean’s twin brother, Aidan, who said measures must be taken to ensure a similar incident does not occur again.

Dean, a 26-year-old man from Limavady, had to be airlifted from the track in an Irish Coastguard helicopter and taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital.

Last week, he underwent surgery and his family are hoping that if his recovery goes well, he might eventually regain the ability to walk.

Dean’s twin, Aidan, said: “Dean is awake and he can sort of sit up a bit now in the hospital.

“They are trying to get him to do a wee bit more every day but there is still no feeling in the legs at all.

“It is a hard thing for him to get his head around.

“You know, he was always so active - he would have worked until half one in the morning if you let him - it’s just the kind of him.

“It’s going to be tough for him.

“The thing that worries me is that something like this could happen again.

“I hope they go down in there into that track and that something is done to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

The Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has confirmed an investigation is underway into the incident.

A spokesperson for the council said: “Council can confirm that these premises are registered with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and we are aware of the activity.

“Council is the enforcing authority for the premises and have responsibility for investigating any accidents that occur there.”

The Causeway Council spokesperson said “the investigation is underway”.