We can’t thank you all enough.

After five weeks in hospital, the family of a man described as a “walking miracle” today paid their heartfelt thanks to the paramedics who saved his life.

Gavin Frost, 33, was left fighting for his life after he was struck by a nine-tonne digger bucket in January.

Suffering a string of injuries, the talented footballer has faced two operations and countless therapy sessions during his recovery.

Today, because Gavin is unable to speak after his right vocal cord was paralysed, his parents Peter and Julie Frost and his sister Kelly Day thanked the medics who worked to rescue him, on his behalf.

Groundworker Gavin was on site in Fentons Way, Grange Farm, Kesgrave when the horrific incident happened on January 21.

While working in an 18ft-hole, Gavin was struck by the digger three times, once to the arm and twice to the side of his face.

The impact broke his jaw bone in three places, left him with a fractured skull, a broken cheek bone and eye socket, broken ribs and severe cuts.

Mrs Frost, of Lindbergh Road, Ipswich, said: “We really want to thank everybody for their kind words and thoughts. We also want to thank everyone who was there from all the emergency services.

“There was one paramedic who actually got into the hole with Gavin to check him over – it was really unbelievable everything they did.

“In A&E, they were great, from there he went to the critical care team and we just have to thank them for saving his life.

“He is a walking miracle, especially when you consider all of the injuries he suffered.”

Mr Frost added: “It has definitely been a struggle because there was a time when doctors just didn’t know what was going to happen. All we could do was be by his side.

“We will get there in the end. He has us all beside him every step of the way.”

His family said Gavin had also asked them to thank all the emergency services, everyone who has thought of him during his recovery, his parents, three sisters – Kelly, Amy and Sharna – and close friends including Carly Mason. And Mrs Frost said a special thank you to Ninian Peckitt, of Ipswich Hospital’s maxiofacial team.

The popular Ridgeons League footballer, who is known as Frosty, played for Felixstowe and Walton United, Woodbridge Town Football Club, and Ipswich Wanderers. He remains on the books for the Wanderers and had been playing for Ransomes Sports Football Club for the four weeks prior to the incident.

The 33-year-old requested not to be photographed by the Ipswich Star while he is recovering.