KIND friends have rallied around the bedside of a 21-year-old who suffered serious injuries and had to be placed in a medically-induced coma for 10 days following a horrific collision.

Nathan Williams, a former pupil at Ysgol Glan Clwyd in St Asaph, was driving home to Prestatyn on the A55 from Rye, East Sussex, with his cat Tilly on December 28 when he was involved in a “terrible” car crash.

He was taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital and placed in a coma before being moved to Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool, where he is currently staying.

Tilly had a miraculous escape and was taken to a vet with no injuries.

Nathan, an engineer in Bodelwyddan and DJ - who has started dj-ing professionally - sustained injuries to the brain. He also suffered collapsed lungs; broken femur; broken fibula and tibia; broken pelvis; broken jaw and other breaks in his face. He also lost a “severe” amount of blood.

Nathan’s friends have vowed to help in his recovery and a fundraising page has been launched to aid his rehabilitation. More than £1,300 has already been raised.

Close friends have also pledged to complete Three Peaks Challenge within 24 hours to raise extra funds. Lee Hughes-Jones; Leon Boyle; Deiniol Bower; Luke Hughes; Brad Sarginson; Tyler Houlston; David Jones; Dylan Elwell; Ashley Eccleston and Sam Jones hope to carry out the mountainous trek - covering Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon - towards the end of April.

 

Nathan with his cat Tilly

Lee Hughes-Jones said: “Nathan has come on a lot recently and he has now got a phone and texting us. He’s still getting treatment so can’t talk at the minute and isn’t very mobile due to the damage on his leg. He’s having lots of physiotherapy and is getting better every day. As for his speaking, he’s been texting us but he’s been told he is starting to get his voice back.

“After visiting his family for the holidays in Rye with his cat, Tilly, he managed to make it all the way to the A55, bear Broughton, before having a very serious crash. Nath can’t remember what happened and an investigation as to how it happened is still open.

“We’ve all known Nath for various amounts of time but most of us have been friends since high school and picked up a few others along the way.

“Nath is a great friend. I don’t think any of us have met anybody that’s funnier or cares about their cat so much and we’re all looking forward to him improving.

“He’s always in good spirits even in the hospital. He’s giving all the nurses a good laugh.”

Nathan, who is now in his own private ward where he is receiving care, went to school with Deiniol, Sam, Dylan and Lee.

Due to the extent of his injuries, money raised will go towards Nathan’s ongoing physiotherapy and support he needs in order to get him mobile again.

Lee added: “We hope the money will help take the pressure off day to day life while he focuses on getting better.

“He’s also made it clear to us that he wants to donate some of the money to the hospital he’s staying at so that will be being arranged.

“Nathan and all of us want to say a huge thank you to the staff at Aintree University Hospital. They’ve been nothing short of amazing.”

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/naths-recovery