Grandfather who survived footbridge collapsing on top of him says 'I was lucky'

Jim Shaw's motorcycle can be scene under the wreckage of the collapsed footbridge Credit: PA

A grandfather of three who suffered three broken ribs when a footbridge collapsed on top of him as he rode under it says "I was lucky."

Jim Shaw was riding his Yamaha MT-07 along the M20 when a digger being carried on the back of a lorry struck the bridge in Kent.

The 73-year-old of Thamesmead, south east London, was travelling home from a visit to a bikers' café in Maidstone when he was forced to take evasive action.

Speaking from his hospital bed about what happened on Saturday, the part-time school bus driver said:

Mr Shaw’s wife Doreen only found out he had been taken to hospital when she rang him asking him to bring the washing in.

The M20 completely reopened to traffic more than a day after the incident.