Jump directly to the content

A MOTORBIKE racer was catapulted 25ft through the air in a 100mph crash — but walked away with just a few scratches after landing on a car.

Paul Cassidy, 36, was flung from his Yamaha superbike as it slammed into a protective barrier after he was clipped.

Paul Cassidy was flung from his Yamaha superbike as it slammed into a protective barrier after he was clipped
10
Paul Cassidy was flung from his Yamaha superbike as it slammed into a protective barrier after he was clippedCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/BosJo9llHzA/?img_index=1
The bike racer was catapulted 25ft through the air in a 100mph crash
10
The bike racer was catapulted 25ft through the air in a 100mph crash
Miraculously Paul walked away with just a few scratches after landing on a car
10
Miraculously Paul walked away with just a few scratches after landing on a car
Paul somersaulted several times in mid-air
10
Paul somersaulted several times in mid-air
Horrified fans captured footage of him somersaulting high and far in the air
10
Horrified fans captured footage of him somersaulting high and far in the air
Paul vanished from view behind a fence — where his fall was broken by the bonnet of a blue VW
10
Paul vanished from view behind a fence — where his fall was broken by the bonnet of a blue VWCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk

Horrified fans captured footage of him somersaulting high and far in the air.

Married Paul then vanished from view behind a fence — where his fall was broken by the bonnet of a blue VW.

Spectators said the Manx rider was lucky to be alive.

One said: “It’s incredible that he survived, let alone walked away in one piece.

READ MORE ON SPORT

“The car came off worse than Paul!”

The dad of one had been taking part in a qualifier on Thursday at the NW200 event in Northern Ireland.

He told The Sun yesterday: “I’m a lucky man. I’ve seen the video over 100 times — impressive, isn’t it?

“If my fall hadn’t been broken by the car, I suspect I’d have broken a number of bones at the very least.

“If I’d hit the concrete at that speed, it’s possible I wouldn’t still be here.”

Explaining the crash, he said he had just crossed the start-finish line when another rider veered into his path as he went to overtake.

Watch heart-stopping moment race car is sent flying 90 degrees in the air towards fans after 'freak' crash

He added: “I was doing between 100mph and 125mph at the time. I saw the crash barrier and thought, ‘Whatever you do, don’t hit it’

“I ended up clipping the kerb and as soon as I did, I jumped off the seat and spun into the air. It all happened in a split-second.”

Incredibly, bruised Paul is now preparing to race his £30,000 Yamaha YZF-R6 at the Isle of Man TT Races next month.

The rider crashed head first into a wall in the race
10
The rider crashed head first into a wall in the raceCredit: X
Paul Cassidy was flung into the air
10
Paul Cassidy was flung into the airCredit: X
The road racer somersaulted several times in mid-air
10
The road racer somersaulted several times in mid-airCredit: X
A picture showed the damage caused to a car he fell on
10
A picture showed the damage caused to a car he fell onCredit: X
Topics