Rock Computers boss Nick Boardman was back at work today after surving a motorbike stunt that nearly cost him his life.

Last week Boardman decided to show off his latest purchase - a 104 horsepower Ducati Monster S4 - to staff at the company's Warwickshire HQ.

And for extra effect the Evil Knievel of notebook manufacturing decided to get a bit flash and try a monster wheelie all the way up the driveway to the entrance of the office.

Unfortunately Boardman hadn't yet mastered the brakes on the Ducati, and ploughed headfirst into the wall.

The crash, which rocked the office and could be felt by staff working on the top floor of the building, left Boardman with multiple injuries, including a fractured shoulder and busted knee. He will also have wires in his wrist and thumb for the next six to eight months.

"I was messing about and getting cocky," admitted Boardman today. "But thankfully I was wearing a helmet - if not I would probably be dead."

As for the £8000 bike, a mere four days old at the time of the accident - it escaped relatively unscathed. ®