Superkart crash survivor attends Northumberland Head Injuries Service

The then 23-year-old suffered bleeding and swelling on his brain and had eight blood clots, necessitating the removal of part of his skull by surgeons.

He spent two months in a coma at Belfast Royal Victoria Hospital before being transferred to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary.

The accident took a toll not just on Mr Connor, but on his family too.

His father was there when he crashed.

Andy Connor now works as a gym instructor (Image: Supplied)

Describing their ordeal, Mr Connor said: "It was awful for my mam and dad.

"They had to keep flying back and forth to Belfast and didn’t know whether I would wake up or what I’d be like if I did."

Following his discharge, he was referred to Northumberland Head Injuries Service, a part of Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust.

He spent a year in rehab there, working on improving his memory and cognitive skills.

He said: "I received great care from the head injuries service.

"I feel like they really cared about trying to get me back on track."

Still, he says, the consequences of the accident linger.

"My memory is terrible, and it can take me a long time to process things," said Mr Connor.

"My balance isn’t great either.

“If I’m a bit slow or can’t hear, people can be quite short with you. Sometimes I struggle with listening and have to write everything down.

“People don’t realise there’s anything wrong with me. I just look like a normal person; you wouldn’t know I’d had a brain injury.

"People can think I’m stupid but they don’t know if you’re struggling or what you might find more difficult.”

Despite these challenges, he has also found a silver lining.

The accident led him to a career switch from construction to being a gym instructor.

He said: “I’m a lot more empathetic with people now. My accident has definitely given me a different perspective. It’s made me think that you only have one life and you need to live it.”