STUDENT Matthew Halstead has left hospital and is on his way home to Pendle two months after falling under a float lorry during his college rag procession.

"I feel great," said Matthew, 19, of Barkerhouse Road, Nelson, as he walked out of Cheltenham General Hospital with the aid of two sticks.

Matthew was discharged after treatment for a broken leg, pelvic and other injuries, which left him in a critical condition for several days. He is to return to his family home today to continue his recuperation after nine weeks of treatment and physiotherapy.

"It's been very traumatic," said Matthew, a former pupil at Walton High School, Nelson, and Nelson and Colne College.

"I don't remember the accident at all. It's a complete blank - although I've been told that can happen because of shock. I can remember earlier that morning but the next thing I recall is being in hospital.

"Hopefully, I will make a full recovery - it's just a matter of time. It was a great feeling to get back on my feet again - it's getting better all the time and I'm feeling stronger every day."

Matthew was one of about 1,000 Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education students involved in the rag procession through Cheltenham streets on a Saturday morning. Eight lorries carrying floats were also in the procession and it was the lead vehicle that ran over Matthew when he fell under it.

Two other students who witnessed the horrific accident were treated for shock at the scene by ambulance crews.

Other students and passers by grabbed the lorry and tried to lift it to relieve the pressure on Matthew until firefighters and paramedics arrived.

The accident happened in Park Place, Cheltenham, as hundreds of shoppers watched the procession go by.

Matthew's mum, Kathleen, said she and husband David, who were on holiday in Spain when the accident happened, are delighted their son is coming home at last.

"He was in a critical condition - I can't believe how much he has improved," said Mrs Halstead. "It's a miracle. He's getting back to his old self now."

Matthew will be aided in his recovery by a cheque for £523 after students organised a fund-raising raffle on his behalf.

"I'm hoping to spend the money on a mountain bike which will help with my recovery," he said.

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