MAKING a miraculous recovery from a crash which left him in a coma for nine weeks, Carl Hambidge had earned himself a celebration when local legend Josh Kumra offered to play at his 18th birthday party.

A family friend, Josh got in touch with Carl’s dad Danny Smith when he heard the milestone was approaching, and played a private gig for the teenager on Friday evening at the Deer’s Leap.

Carl was mowed down from behind by drink-driver James Price while walking along Cricklade Road on January 5, and the teenager remembers nothing of the smash which left him almost completely paralysed.

23-year-old Price, of Haywain Close, was jailed for two years and ten months on August 10, and will be banned from driving for five years.

Emerging from his coma, Carl was only able to move one eye, and has painstakingly learned how to eat, drink and speak, in a recovery deemed by doctors to be a ‘little miracle.’ Still lacking the use of his legs, Carl is assured he will get his mobility back after doing most of the hard work already.

“The whole night was amazing,” said Danny.

“Obviously Josh is local to Swindon and is around quite a lot, and I know his dad because I drink with him at the local.

“One day he came and messaged me online saying he had seen Carl’s 18th birthday was coming up, and asked would we like him to come and play for him. It was him that offered, and I couldn’t believe it, of course we said yes.

“We had the back room of the Leap to ourselves, and a little disco they did for free which was really good of them. Everybody donated so it was a sort of gift from everyone, and the food was incredible. It was one of those special, fantastic nights, and he deserved it because he has been through so much. “It has been difficult road for my son. He was in a horrific car accident, but it’s a bit of a miracle that he can be sitting at home drinking tea now.“He was in a coma for nine weeks, and when he came out the brain injuries were so severe he had to learn to eat, drink and speak from scratch.

“As you can imagine that hasn’t been easy. When at first he couldn’t move anything except one eye, now he has got to the stage when he has almost got everything back.

“It has been a long road but his attitude has been incredible.

“I can’t imagine how you would feel going through that myself, so we are all so proud of him and what he has achieved.”

Carl said he is determined he will get the use of his legs back, and is concentrating on that hurdle.

“I am doing really well at the moment but I just can’t walk, but that is going to get sorted,” he said.

“I had to learn how to swallow food again, and that was really hard to do. “I don’t remember anything about what happened, but I’m just concentrating on getting better.”