THE father of a 20-year-old man critically injured in a quad biking accident in Greece fears it could cost up to £27,000 to bring his son home.

Simon Ralph is at the bedside of son Mason, after his accident in Malia on the island of Crete, which happened while on holiday with five friends.

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The 49-year-old from Darwen is now warning people about hiring the ‘dangerous’ four wheeled-machines on holiday.

He said: “The quad bikes are lethal.

“Young lads and girls should stop going on these bikes. They are mental over here. I have been driving 30 years and I wouldn’t get behind the wheel over here. It’s too dangerous.

“If Mason’s story stops just one person being injured on one of those bikes it will be worth it.”

The former Darwen Vale High School pupil was left in a coma with life-threatening-injuries including a triple fracture of the neck, a punctured lung, liver damage and possible brain damage.

His recovery has been branded as a ‘miracle’ after doctors, at the Venizelio General Hospital of Heraklion in Crete, originally warned his family to prepare for the worst.

Speaking from Crete, Simon, of Marsh House Lane, Darwen, said: “No one knows exactly what happened to Mason. His friends were behind him on their bikes but none of them saw what happened. Mason was put in an ambulance and taken to hospital.

“His friends said he wasn’t drinking which is a relief.

“I believe they are supposed to have a full driving licence but Mason’s just failed his test. They didn’t even check the other lads. They didn’t need to prove they could drive.”

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, was not wearing a helmet when the accident happened on July 3.

It is still unclear what financial costs the family will have to cover. Although he had travel insurance, Mason wasn’t insured to ride a quad bike.

Simon said: “I have been to the British Embassy and it could cost from £7,000 upwards to get him home, depending on what facilities he needs.

“The worst case scenario is that it could cost £27,000 to get him back to Darwen if he still needs a lot of medical assistance, but he’s recovering well so hopefully it won’t be that much.”

Simon said Mason, who has worked part-time at the cafe in Witton Park since December, is making daily improvements.

He said: “The change from two weeks ago when the doctors told me he might not pull through is unbelievable. They told me there was nothing they could do and now they’re having to restrain him because he wants to get up and move about.

“The doctors are on about moving him to a normal ward soon.”

The father-of-three travelled out to Malia as soon as he was told about his son’s accident.

He said: “When I heard the news I just packed a couple of T-shirts, shorts and my passport. I just needed to be out here with Mason.

“I have accommodation for a month but I’m only going back to have a shower and wash the few clothes I’ve brought over. I spend most of the day at the hospital in case Mason needs me.

“He’s scared and needs reassurance. He doesn’t want to be there. He’s a young lad in a hospital in a foreign country where he doesn’t speak the language. he’s scared. I would be scared.

“I can’t imagine the pain he’s going through right now. He was on four lots of pain medication to keep him sedated.

“I have no idea how much his treatment is going to cost. I just hope that money can help to fix him. If he’s not fixable, no amount of money is any good to us.

“The care at the hospital has been amazing, even though the country is on its knees. The staff are first class. They might not have the facilities like we have back home, but they go that extra mile for you.

“My friends have been flying out, bringing thousands of euros for me to help keep me out here. They have also been paying my bills back home. I didn’t realise just how loved Mason and the family are. I can’t put into words how grateful I am.

“I have been brought up a catholic and I had lost my faith. But since the accident I have been to church every day and it might be coincidence but someone has answered our prayers.”