TEENAGER Lewis Evans has spoken to the Gazette about his traumatic ordeal after a horrific crash in Zante left him fighting for his life.

The 18-year-old from Thornbury was in a critical condition after being hurled into a tree from a quad bike while on holiday on the Greek island.

Among his injuries were a ruptured spleen, holes in both his lungs, a fractured vertebrae in his spine and severe damage to his left shoulder.

After returning to Britain last week following an incredible fundraising campaign in the Thornbury community, which collected over £50,000 to fly him home, Lewis spent time in Southmead Hospital before returning home to Thornbury last Friday.

Speaking to the Gazette, the South Gloucestershire and Stroud College student described the crash.

“It all happened so fast, but I remember it all so clearly,” he said.

“I went flying off the quad bike and hit the tree so hard. All I felt was pain as I went crashing to the ground.

“Somehow I was still conscious as people came rushing over to help.”

Talking about his terrifying experience in the hospital on Zante, Lewis described being left alone in a room for 24 hours and, despite the pain he was suffering, he said no tests were done to find out the extent of his injuries – he was just given painkillers.

“The doctors were just coming in and adding to the drugs I was given, they never spoke to me in English, they would just come and go,” he said.

“Luckily my friend was able to bring me my phone which he had grabbed after the crash, so I was able to call home.”

Despite needing treatment for his left shoulder, which he cannot move due to the severe damage, surgeons have said they cannot operate yet due to the trauma. This means he is expected to wait three to six months for an operation.

As a result, Lewis is currently unable to return to work at Tesco in Thornbury and will not be able to go back to college at all this year.

“It is really hard to get my head around the fact recovery is now a waiting game,” said Lewis.

“They have sent me home as, if they operated now, there is a chance it could only cause more damage.

Even then, I have been told that my shoulder will never be the same again.”

But while he has the comfort of being back in his own home, Lewis has said he has found the adjustment tricky, having spent almost a month in bed.

“Coming back home has definitely helped me feel a bit better, but I am nowhere near 100 per cent,” he said.

“I am very limited in what I can do – I am getting out of breath just walking down the stairs.”

Speaking about the incredible fundraising efforts from the Thornbury community, Lewis’ father Martin said he was “proud to live here”.

The funds raised included over £10,000 from Tesco, where Lewis and his mother Heidi both work, and £10,000 from the Post Office – which had originally voided the teen’s travel insurance due to his accident taking place on a quad bike – after an intervention from former Thornbury and Yate MP Steve Webb.

Martin said: “When we heard about the fundraising in Thornbury, we were totally in shock – it brought me to tears. The fact that the whole town and beyond came together was remarkable.

“I could not believe how supportive people were, and how quickly they were able to do it.

“We can’t thank everyone enough for what they have done for Lewis and our family.”