The quad bike that nearly took the life of Ozzy Osbourne set to be auctioned

The quad bike that nearly took the life of Black Sabbath legend Ozzy Osbourne is going under the hammer.

The 350cc Yamaha Banshee quadbike, which nearly killed its famous owner, is up for sale.

The singer was driving it when he crashed it in 2003, with nearly fatal consequences.

The 350cc quadbike has been largely untouched in the 20 years since the accident and still bears some of the fascinating scars from that frightening day in the rock legend’s past. The Banshee still sports damage to the front crash bar and a crack in one of the rear wings.

In the handbook, there are warnings that this vehicle is not for beginners. In the handbook of this particular bike is a handwritten note believed to be from Sharon Osbourne to her husband: “Be Safe”.

The Banshee is the latest of a long series of celebrity-owned vehicles auctioned by Car & Classic this year alone, joining Elton John’s Continental R, Eric Clapton’s Ferrari Modena and Elvis Presley’s Cadillac.

Ozzy’s accident

Ozzy was in his 150 acre Victorian estate in Buckinghamshire with his daughter, Kelly, when he had the accident. His injuries included a cracked vertebra, broken collarbone, a partially collapsed lung and eight ribs. It left him unconscious and temporarily unable to breathe.

“Absolutely no drugs, absolutely no alcohol. It was just a terrible, a terrible accident,” said Ozzy to ABC. “The last thing I remember, what I do remember is I got on the bike and, and something in my mind went ‘bad move. There’s something’s really bad is gonna happen.’ And I go oohuh-oh.”

He was also not wearing a helmet while riding it.

His bodyguard, Sam Ruston, who saw the incident said: “I see the bike hit some berms, and it starts to bounce, and Ozzy’s holding on but what happens is the back end of the bike comes up off the ground, throwing him forward and over the handlebars.”

Ruston revived him twice since he was not breathing. Eventually, the rocker gained consciousness and was able to talk as well. When he was taken to the hospital he ended up in an eight-day coma with multiple injuries. Metal rods were put in his body later.

“I didn’t realize how bad it was. Because he was fully talking to me … And all he kept saying is, ‘I love you. I’m going to be OK,’ “ said Kelly. “And I’m like, oh my God, my dad’s gonna die. And I’m by myself. And it was the horriblest thing that’s ever happened to me.”

The incident took place after the family faced Sharon’s cancer struggle and their son, Jack, battled a drug addiction, according to ABC.

“It’s like it couldn’t get any worse, there’s no way,” daughter Kelly told ABCNEWS. “Hands down, the worst year of my life.”

What Car & Classic said

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a rare and well-documented quadbike,” says Car & Classic Head of Editorial Chris Pollitt. “Regardless of its provenance, the Banshee is already a desirable vehicle, but its nearly-nefarious part in Osbourne’s life makes it all the more special.”

This is an extremely fast off-road-only quadbike. The chunky tyres, capable suspension setup and easy-to-start motor (despite sitting idle for so many years), mean this Yamaha is just as useable as it is unique.

The auction ends on December 1 and has reached a bid of £9,000 already. You can find more details of it here.