A YOUNG man has been hailed as a medical miracle after surviving an horrific car crash in the USA.

Doctors gave odds of 10 million to one against 25-year-old Lee Crompton's survival following a tragic accident in Florida in July 1995. But even though he has suffered brain damage, Lee is now learning to walk, talk and to feed himself.

Two of Lee's friends died when a car, in which he was a back seat passenger, was in collision with a parked truck. The crash left the former Woolston County Primary School pupil - who moved to the USA with his father 13 years ago - with massive injuries and in a coma, from which he was not expected to emerge.

Mum Mrs Linda Bourdet, of Winwick Road, Warrington, said: "When I got there the doctors told me that his chances of survival were one in 10 million. They said he would never breathe on his own, and they wanted to let him die.

"But I never gave up hope that he would recover, and after four months he came out of his coma," said Mrs Bourdet, a Sainsbury's sales assistant.

As well as having to endure such emotional turmoil, Lee's family has been left with a massive financial burden. Because Lee had no health insurance at the time of the accident, the family has incurred crippling hospital debts of around $1 million.

Lee's mum and dad are paying back what they can when they can, and fund-raising events are being held on both sides of the Atlantic .

A 10-mile sponsored walk, organised by Sainsbury's staff, raised £300 last Sunday.

And in the USA a benefit concert for Lee, organised by the fire rescue workers who helped to save his life, was held last Friday.

Other events planned in Warrington include a dance at St Mary's Catholic Club tonight, Friday, and another dance at Greenalls Social Club on November 15.

Mrs Bourdet said: "We are grateful for all the help we get."

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