A SOUTH Cumbria motorcyclist is now being treated in Furness General Hospital after suffering serious injuries in a crash in China.

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Tom McHale. Submitted by Les Trotter Tom McHale suffered a heavy fall in the Macau Grand Prix, of the coast of China, last month.

He arrived back in the UK over the weekend after race organisers arranged a private jet to fly him home. 

The Grange rider, who is in his early 30s and works for IT Shaw Ltd plant hire in Ulverston, came off on a notoriously fast corner at the venue as he tried to avoid a slower rider.

He suffered multiple fractures and other injuries and was treated in intensive care in a hospital local to the scene of the crash.

Les Trotter, who writes in the Evening Mail's Motors supplement each Friday, said: "A few days ago, doctors deemed him fit enough to travel, so race organisers wasted no time in organising a private jet to fly him home to a UK hospital.

"He tells us the three-day journey was not an easy one and fraught with many problems.

"The aircraft required frequent refuelling stops.

"They had trouble finding overnight accommodation for the flight crew, and there were amendments to flight routes, and minor mechanical problems with the aircraft, and (problems with) suitable hospitals for him to rest up in.

"They finally landed at Liverpool last Friday and then took him by road to Furness General Hospital."

Mr Trotter said medics were satisfied with Mr McHale's improvement and revealed that the rider was determined to be racing again in 2016.

He said: "Doctors are pleased with his progress, but he will have to undergo further surgery to his damaged arm, possibly at Preston, in the coming weeks.

"He's very positive in his attitude and is determined to make a full recovery and race again next year.

"The whole incident was a bitter blow to his racing career, having just been snapped up by one of the top teams who have assured him there is a place for him in 2016.

"I'm sure all local fans wish Tom a fast and full recovery."

The race in China represented a big step forward in Mr McHale's career. And he had postponed a shoulder operation in order to avoid missing out on the opportunity.

He had only recently recovered from a high-speed crash at the Ulster Grand Prix in August.