A motorcyclist suffered seven broken ribs when he crashed on a leak that was left untreated for over a month.

Derren Atkinson, 51, has been in and out of hospital twice since he came off his bike on a patch of ice in Elstree on Wednesday, January 10. 

The builder was driving down Elstree Hill South to the roundabout at around 8am when he hit a patch of ice, which locals believe came from run-off water that was left untreated for over a month.

Derren said: "I literally just didn't have any control over the bike and just slid sideways onto the roundabout. I didn't even know what was going on."

The father of two was hospitalised for three days, but had to be readmitted from Sunday to Thursday, January 18, as he was struggling to breathe with fluid in his lungs.

Watford Observer: Derren has been in and out of hospital twice due to his injuries.Derren has been in and out of hospital twice due to his injuries. (Image: Nicky Atkinson)

His wife, Nicky, 53, said she was "devastated" and is worried for his livelihood as the self-employed builder is expected to be out of work for at least eight weeks.

"All the family have been stressed out going up and down the hospital worrying about him," she added.

"That road is going to be fatal if they don't get it sorted, especially with this these weather conditions."

Watford Observer: Residents and Cllr Dan Ozarow have raised concerns that the leak was left untreated.Residents and Cllr Dan Ozarow have raised concerns that the leak was left untreated. (Image: Dan Ozarow)

Police confirmed it contacted Hertfordshire County Council about the ice after a second motorcyclist also came off his bike on the same stretch at around 11.45pm that evening.

Elstree resident Natasha Sinfield said she made Affinity Water, Thames Water and the council aware of the leak on December 9 last year, but claims nothing was done.

Watford Observer: Derren has been in and out of hospital twice since the the crash.Derren has been in and out of hospital twice since the the crash. (Image: Nicky Atkinson)Following the crashes on January 10, Labour councillor Dan Ozarow started a petition to stop the leak and prevent further accidents, which received 103 signatures.

Cllr Ozarow said: “It is frankly appalling that between the county council, Affinity Water and the landowner, this leak was apparently left untreated for over a month.

"I’m pleased that the petition eventually helped ensure the cause of the leak is being investigated."

An Affinity Water spokesperson said: "We can confirm that this is a Thames Water leak and a council issue with drainage.

"We are aware of this issue, and it is a result of drainage water from an overflow in catchment pond water.

"Although we can’t fix the problem, we have made this a priority to contact Thames Water and the local council for them to get the drainage system flowing again."

Thames Water said it received reports of the "external sewer flooding" on January 16, adding: "Our engineers are scheduled to investigate the issue over the coming days and we’d like to assure local residents we are working to attend as quickly as possible.”

Hertfordshire County Council said it investigated the issues as soon it was made aware, and has gritted the road and carried out works to prevent further flooding.