Darwen man left with broken neck after horrific quad biking accident in Greece

Mason Ralph was on holiday with five friends in Malia on the island of Crete when he lost control of the four-wheeled bike he was riding.

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The details of the accident, which left him in a coma, are unknown, but his family said no other person or vehicle was involved.

The 20-year-old from Darwen was left with life-threatening-injuries including a triple fracture of the neck, a punctured lung, liver damage and possible brain damage.

Mason’s dad Simon said his son’s recovery was a ‘miracle’ and he revealed that originally doctors warned him to prepare for the worst.

Mr Ralph, who flew out immediately to be at his son’s bedside, said: “Doctors told me there was not much hope of him surviving but he’s a fighter.

“We haven’t discussed whether he’ll need any operations yet as it’s still early days.

“I have no idea how long we’ll be out here. I have got a place to stay out here for a month but I have been sleeping on the corridor in the hotel since I arrived.

“Doctors now think he will make a full recovery. I have got him a neck brace which he will need to wear for a couple of months when he comes home.”

The former Darwen Vale High School pupil was taken to the Venizelio General Hospital of Heraklion in Crete following the accident on July 3.

The ‘talented footballer’, who attended Darwen Aldridge Community Academy Sixth Form, played for DACA’s team and was tipped to join Chorley’s Under 21s.

Mr Ralph, said: “No one knows how the quad bike accident happened. His injuries were life threatening and he was on a life support machine.

“He has a triple fracture of the neck, punctured lung, liver damage and possible brain damage.

“Tests show his brain is fully functional, which is a miracle, and his liver will repair itself. The injuries to his lung and neck are concerns. It’s a miracle that he’s making such positive progress with his injuries.

“The doctors have put him under sedation so he can rest.

“All his functions are working. He’s had a tracheotomy - a procedure to open the airway in his neck to help him breathe - so he’s unable to talk. He is awake. I sit with him because he gets frustrated and I have to calm him down.

“I feel drained and emotional. I thought I had lost him. I have brought Alex and Mason up from a young age.”

Mason, who has worked part-time at the cafe in Witton Park since December, did have holiday insurance and his family are seeking support from the British Embassy.

He only holds has a provisional licence and was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

In Greece all you need to be able to hire a quad bike is a provisional licence.

Mr Ralph, who is out in Greece with best friend Ian Almond and oldest son Alex, said he has had huge support from friends and family.

The first he heard of the accident was when Mason’s best friend’s dad came knocking at the apartment Simon shares with his son at Woodlands Court, in Marsh House Lane, Darwen.

He said: “I would like to thank all my family, friends and work mates for their amazing love and support. Without that I could not have stayed strong.

“I would like to thank all the fantastic amazing people for all the love hope understanding without you all I could not be here at my sons side.”

Mason was due to return to the University of Central Lancashire in September to study sport science.

Howard McWilliams, assistant principal at DACA, said: “Mason is a hardworking student and talented football player who, during his time in the Academy’s Sixth Form, was very well liked by his peers and staff alike.

“We were deeply saddened to hear of his serious accident and send him and his loved ones our best wishes for a full recovery.”

The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) has issued a warning to any holidaymakers thinking of hiring a quad bike when abroad, reminding them while these vehicles may be fun to drive they are in fact powerful pieces of machinery that can be dangerous if used irresponsibly.

The ABTA advises holidaymakers to always wear a helmet when driving the vehicles - something that is not always insisted upon by rental companies in other countries.