FOR five desperate weeks Kelvin and Maria Knights have spent a 24-hour vigil by their son's hospital bed after an horrific accident. Today the couple have spoken of their family's ordeal and said thank you to all those who are continuing to help them as 16-year-old Kyle remains in a coma.

FOR five desperate weeks Kelvin and Maria Knights have spent a 24-hour vigil by their son's hospital bed after an horrific accident.

Today the couple have spoken of their family's ordeal and said thank you to all those who are continuing to help them as 16-year-old Kyle remains in a coma.

He was injured along with another teenager when their mopeds were in collision with a blue Ford Mondeo at the junction of Orford Street and Anglesea Road, Ipswich, just before 6pm on August 21.

The accident left Kyle, whose brother is former Ipswich Town player Darryl, with severe head injuries, a broken leg, two broken ribs, a broken collar bone and a bruised lung.

The former Chantry High School pupil was due to start a plumbing course at Suffolk New College this month.

He was initially taken to Ipswich Hospital for treatment but within hours was transferred to Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, where he spent four weeks in intensive care.

Although still in a coma he is making slow and steady progress and has now returned to Ipswich Hospital.

Mr Knights, 43 said: “We've stayed by his side all this time and never left.

“We've been living in hospitals. We've both had to take time off work and we've put our lives on hold because we don't want to leave him.

“We can't leave his side because we don't know when he will wake up and want to be there when he does. It's like we're waiting for him to wake up so we can end our nightmare.”

Kyle's parents have watched on helplessly as their son went through a string of life-saving operations.

Mrs Knights, 43, said: “When we first found out about the accident we were at home. He'd only celebrated his birthday on the Sunday and passed his scooter test on the Monday. In fact I saw him on London Road as I was coming back from work.

“The next thing I remember we had a knock on the door from a policeman who told us Kyle had been in an accident and they needed to get us to hospital as soon as possible.

“It's very difficult to explain what we were feeling. I've never felt anything like it. You're just full of dread and anticipation - you're at a really high pressure point.”

The same evening Kyle was transferred to the neuro-critical care unit at Addenbrooke's where he underwent a nine-hour operation to make him stable.

Mrs Knights who works for Axa said: “It's hard to explain how a coma works. It's not like on the TV when they just wake up and say 'Can I have a cup of tea?' It's a long drawn out process and it will be hard work. You have to teach the body to do things again. That's what takes the time.”

She said that Kyle will have to learn to breath through his mouth again as he currently has a tracheotomy and nurses and doctors have been giving him physio so his joints and muscles don't cease up.

Mr and Mrs Knights said the accident has sent shockwaves through the whole family but has been especially hard for sister Kerrie, 24, and Darryl, 19, who joined Yeovil from Ipswich in the summer.

Mr Knights who works for Co-op dairy said: “Being so far away from home, Darryl is extremely concerned because he wants to be close to what's going on. It's hard for him because all he gets is updates on the phone.

“When he does come back he wants to sit at Kyle's bedside because he hasn't spent as much time with him as everyone else.”

The couple want to thank everyone who has helped them at this traumatic time.

Mrs Knights said: “All the staff at both hospitals have been absolutely amazing.

“Hospitals are often criticised but everyone has been second to none. We'd also like to thank the family and friends who have been extremely supportive, especially Jessica, Kyle's girlfriend, who hasn't left his side.

“Finally we'd like to show our appreciation to the residents of Angelsea Road and Orford Street, they have already sent a card to see how Kyle is getting on and we are extremely grateful for what they did to help.”

The other moped rider, also thought to be 16, regained consciousness after the crash and was discharged from hospital after two days.

N A 30-year-old Ipswich man who was the driver of the Ford Mondeo was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving after the accident.

On September 30 there will be a fundraising day for Kyle at Bourne Vale Sports and Social club between 11am until 5pm.

The day will kick-off with a football match between Bourne Vale and Ipswich Co-op starting at 11.30am and there will also be an auction, bouncy castle and steel band.

Donations and auction items can be made to Paul May on 07711 216291 or Hayley May on 07787 927411.