A TEENAGER who almost died in a car accident has been allowed home to celebrate the Christmas that his family never thought he would see.

Thomas Maylor, 17, of Whitecroft View, Baxenden, has defied the odds to return home for the festive period, six months after the horror smash.

He had been treated in the specialist head injuries unit at Royal Preston Hospital for critical injuries sustained as he returned with friends from a camping trip in Haslingden.

He is now completing his painfully slow rehab at Burnley General Hospital.

Dad Stephen said coming home has been a big boost to Thomas, who was studying at St Mary's College, Blackburn, at the time of the accident.

He said: "He is coming along slowly but it is great to have him back, even for a short period.

"It has been a difficult time but the fact that he is at home at Christmas gives everyone a boost."

Mum Marie added: "The doctors said after the accident that Thomas may not survive and seeing him home shows how far he has come along.

"We have said all along that we wanted him here for Christmas, he has been counting down the days."

Thomas was the front seat passenger when his friend's Seat Ibiza car went out of control and flipped over into a farmer's field on Haslingden Old Road, near Oswaldtwistle, on June 4.

The youngsters were driving towards Blackburn after camping in the Haslingden area.

Thomas was left on a life-support machine and later underwent a craniotomy operation to relief pressure on his brain, which his parents were warned he may not survive. But since regaining consciousness, the former pupil at Rhyddings Business and Enterprise School, Oswaldtwistle, has been making steady progress.

His is now undergoing rehabilitation to help him overcome brian damage, although he is wheelchair-bound.

Stephen added: "We don't know what's going to happen but his recovery is going to be a long road. It's just good to have him back for now." He will celebrate Christmas with dad Stephen and mum Marie, along with sisters, Emily, 16, and Ruby, 10.

In September Thomas' recovery was boosted when he was visited by his Blackburn Rovers hero Andy Todd.

The defender made a surprise trip to see him in hospital and he brought him a signed Rovers shirt.