IT'S coming up to three years since Steve Tarrant nearly died in a horrific accident - and he is still fighting his way back to health.

The motor sports enthusiast was working as a volunteer marshal at Goodwood Festival of Speed in June 2000 when a 1968 F1 Lotus left the track at more than 100 mph.

The car crashed through the finish gantry, hitting Steve and fellow race marshal Andy Carpenter, then ploughing into trees, killing driver John Dawson-Damer instantly.

Part of Steve's right leg was severed at the scene and he stopped breathing before being revived by paramedics. Andy died later in hospital.

Although Steve remembers nothing about the crash, in those few seconds his life changed forever. He was left with a severe compound fracture of his left leg and abdominal and head injuries.

He nearly died another four times, developing blood poisoning, gangrene and a blood clot. After months in hospital, he was allowed home and has since shown an amazing determination to overcome his disability.

Steve has had about 14 operations and was largely wheelchair and bed-bound for the first 18 months following the accident. But he soon defied predictions that he would never walk again by getting around on crutches, then walking sticks.

"Hospital NHS physio stopped for me in October 2001 when I started walking," said 42-year-old Steve, of Upton. "I was left on my own for 12 months and damaged myself by reverting to sticks too soon."

Last year, he was assessed by Dave Mott, a chartered physiotherapist and partner at BWT in Lower Parkstone, Poole. Dave was convinced more could be done to improve Steve's mobility and ease his pain.

He came up with a year's programme of treatment, which started in September and is underwritten by a charity, the British Motor Sport Relief Fund.

"Steve's calf had expanded and his knee and hip function were affected. Every activity of daily living was affected by the fact that he couldn't get around easily," explained Dave.

"He had a lot of problems with balance when he stood on one leg. His hip would drop significantly. If he had stayed like that, there would have been lots of implications for his hip and back. Correcting it would not only help reduce pain, but subsequent problems."

Steve started off seeing physiotherapist Nicky Maulds three times a week, then twice a week. From March, he will be on one session a week. He also attends Pilates classes and he exercises at home.

The aim is to strengthen Steve's deep stabilising muscles, easing the strain on the muscles he uses to move around.

Steve himself has two specific goals from the treatment: to resume cycling and 10 pin bowling. Before the accident, he regularly cycled to work, was in a company bowling team and went to the gym three times a week. He was also around five stone lighter.

Said Dave: "Steve has this wonderful attitude. He's lovely to treat and is very self-motivated."

Steve said: "I have a lot less pain, and my stamina and endurance have definitely increased. I want to be as normal as possible. I believe it is realistic that I will be able to throw away my crutches."

Only 12 weeks after the accident, he returned to Goodwood. He now carries out official duties at motor sports events again and is keen to return to full trackside race marshalling.

He has his own website*, and has received messages of support from former Formula One world champion Mario Andretti and motorcycle stunt ace Eddie Kidd - himself paralysed in an accident.

Above all, Steve refuses to be bitter. "I have never asked 'why me?' and 'what if?' I have been lucky to have the support of two very good families and lots of friends who have encouraged me to keep going," he said.

"You can't turn the clock back, you've just got to get on with it. Life is for living and I intend to make the most of it."

* http://freespace.virgin.net/motorsport.marshal/index.htm.