A Bermuda Police officer has cheated death after a horror bike crash while on holiday in France.

And P.c. David Geraghty yesterday admitted he thought he was going to die after his powerful 1200cc touring bike spun out of control on a twisting pass high in the French Alps.

But he survived the accident, although he suffered severe injuries, including a punctured liver.

He said: "I'm very lucky indeed to be alive -- I was taking a bend in the Alps and just lost it. '' P.c. Geraghty, 33, was rushed to University Hospital in the French city of Grenoble after the accident and underwent emergency surgery on his liver injury.

He also broke his arm in two places and suffered severaal broken ribs as well.

And he is not expected to be well enough to return to duty on August 30 as scheduled.

P.c. Geraghty said he had later been told by hospital staff that the stretch of road he crashed on was a notorious accident blackspot which had claimed several lives.

But he said he was recovering well from his injuries and expected to be discharged within a week to return back to the Island.

He explained: "I expect to get out soon -- as soon as my liver gets better.'' And he praised the staff at the French hospital for their standard of care.

He said: "Apart from the language problem, the care has been very good -- I'm very grateful.'' P.c. Geraghty, an experienced biker, keeps the powerful Blackbird machine in England and was on a touring holiday of Europe when the accident happened.

And he said: "After this, I'm quite looking forward to getting back on my moped.'' Police in Grenoble yesterday confirmed an accident involving P.c. Geraghty had taken place and that no other vehicles were involved, but they were unable to supply full details.

But they confirmed the Bermuda Police officer was being treated in the city's University Hospital.

The accident happened last Saturday as P.c. Geraghty and a friend from Bermuda were heading on separate machines from Italy into France over the Alps.

A spokesman for the Bermuda Police confirmed yesterday they had been informed of the incident.

He said: "It's a very tragic accident -- at this point, we don't really know the circumstances.

"But the important thing is that he makes a full recovery and we look forward to having him back at work -- we all send him our best wishes.'' P.c. Geraghty, originally from England, has served in the Bermuda Police force for nearly eight years.

He is currently based at specialist operations at the force's Prospect headquarters.

HEALTH HTH POLICE POL