Injured holidaymaker set to go to university (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Injured holidaymaker set to go to university

Sam PriddyA HOLIDAYMAKER who is lucky to be alive after falling 35 feet from a hotel balcony is about to take up a place at university.

Sam Priddy, 20, from Wootton Bassett, is recovering well from the accident on September 2 that resulted in eight broken bones in the face and skull, bleeding on the brain, a shattered knee and leaking spinal fluids.

Since the fall, which meant he missed his chance to go to University in Glamorgan last month, he has since been told he can join the course late and will be leaving for Wales on Sunday.

Sam was on holiday in the Spanish resort of Malaga when the accident occurred.

His injuries left him fighting for his life after he was in a coma for 26 hours. His family was unsure whether he would survive.

As well as an operation on his leg, Sam has had reconstructive surgery to repair the extensive damage to his nose that had made him almost unrecognisable to his own mother.

Despite studying physical geography at university, there will be nothing active about this course.

Sam said: "My knee is still healing but it's getting better.

"I am going for physiotherapy regularly which is really helping."

Sam's spine has now stopped leaking and he has been given the all clear by doctors.

His mother, Sally, 52, was understandably distraught and flew out to be with Sam shortly after she received the call.

"She has forgiven me now, luckily. Mum doesn't want me to go to univeristy though she says I'll cause her too much stress," said Sam.