A CHEF seriously hurt in a fatal car crash seven months ago is back in the kitchen at last.

Paul Cattaneo, a chef at the Lastingham Grange Hotel, Lastingham, has recovered after breaking a bone in his back and developing fluid on a lung following the accident on Hartoft Bridge, near Cropton, last October.

Tragedy struck after Paul went out to a karaoke evening with brothers Michael and David Rogers, both of whom also worked at Lastingham Grange.

A Ford Fiesta driven by David, aged 25, crashed into Hartoft Bridge at about 1am.

David was killed in the accident and Paul and Michael were trapped in the wreckage for more than four hours.

They were finally discovered by Clare Dring of Rosedale and Julie Shaw of Lealholm, near Whitby, as they drove to work at Malton Bacon Factory.

Paul later thanked the women in person after issuing an appeal through the Evening Press to find out who they were.

Paul, of Lastingham, spent six days in intensive care following the crash and was kept in Scarborough Hospital for more than a month, celebrating his 29th birthday on a ward.

At first he was not allowed to undertake any physiotherapy in case he damaged his back.

But after a tough fight back to fitness, Paul was back at work this week for the first time since the crash.

"It feels strange getting back into the routine and having to communicate with people again having been away for so long," said Paul.

He said his employers, Mr and Mrs Dennis Wood, had been very good to him.

"Mr and Mrs Wood have been fantastic. By keeping the job open for me they gave me something to look forward to, it was something to come back to."

Although well enough to work, Paul said he was still taking things one step at a time.

Paul also wished to thank the hospital staff who cared for him. "If it was not for them I would not be here," he said.