FATHER Ian Kettle today told how he feared his teenage son would die after a second serious road crash in less than two years.Jason, 17, was left fighting for his life after an accident in East Bergholt little more than a mile from where his teenage cousin died in a crash just over 18 months ago.

FATHER Ian Kettle today told how he feared his teenage son would die after his second serious road crash in less than two years.

Jason Kettle, 17, was left fighting for his life after an accident in East Bergholt little more than a mile from where his teenage cousin died just over 18 months ago.

Jason was in intensive care after the carsh at midnight on Boxing Day at the junction of Gandish Road and White Horse Road.

His family and girlfriend kept a bedside vigil after the crash. Their prayers were answered when Jason pulled through despite extensive chest and internal injuries.

His father, of Great Oakley near Harwich, praised the emergency services and hospital staff.

Mr Kettle, 50, said: "Jason is lucky to be alive. We were told the chances of him surviving were 70 per cent against.

"It was critical for the first three days, but after that it swung round in favour.

"He has responded well to medication and we are pleased with his progress.

"He is still not fully conscious. The doctors are still monitoring him, but there is a definite change from four to five days ago. It is still a long old road to get back on his feet again.

"The car he was driving looked like a train had hit it. It was in a hell of a state.

"Jason took the full impact. The side of the car door was where the handbrake should be."

Jason was also left fighting for his life after his motorcycle hit a lamp-post 18 months ago.

Mr Kettle said: "He is like a cat with nine lives. After the motorcycle accident he got himself a car instead - and here we are again."

The bike accident happened at Bradfield in Essex. Jason received treatment for brain injury at a London Hospital.

He is expected to be out of intensive care at Ipswich Hospital in a few days and moved to Norfolk and Norwich Hospital for specialist bone treatment.

His injuries included a pierced lung, ruptured kidney and spleen, broken ribs, a broken collarbone and twice-broken pelvis.

His cousin Julia, 17, was killed in an accident at Dedham in March 2002 - one mile from Jason's accident. Julia's mother Wendy Jipson was jailed for three months for drink-driving.

Mr Kettle said Julia was still very much in the family's thoughts.

He said: "This does bring back memories, especially at times like Christmas.

"With Jason's accident 18 months ago and losing his cousin as well we do feel we have had our fill. But life goes on.

"You only have to open the paper to see people get hit when they cross the road. You can't wrap them up in cotton wool."