A MOTORCYCLE crash casualty has issued a stark warning to other Island riders after his helmet came off during a collision with a van.

Matty Ward, manager of Evolution Gym in Ryde, suffered a fractured skull, collapsed nose, a broken clavicle, a broken rib and needed more than 20 stitches in his face.

His helmet came off because the buckle on the chinstrap was not done up properly — a mistake he says he will never make again.

“To other riders on the Island I would say always wear protection and double check your helmet buckle,” Matty said.

After the crash, that happened on Staplers Road, Matty was air lifted to Southampton General Hospital, where he had multiple operations before being shipped back to St Mary’s.

He has been told he is facing a six month recovery.

“I have no idea what happened as I have zero recollections of the actual crash and two days after it,” Matty said.

Many friends of the well-liked business owner have taken to social media to wish him a speedy recovery.

Matty’s brother Richard has taken over running the popular gym while Matty recovers, so it will not have to close its doors.

Matty is still in a lot of pain with the extensive head trauma and remains in St Mary’s Hospital for treatment a fortnight after the accident.