BRAVE seven-year-old schoolboy Mason Heal has stunned doctors by recovering from a near fatal car crash in May.

Mason, who lives in Chippenham, was travelling in the back of a Land Rover Discovery on London Road, Devizes, on May 5 when a Bodmans coach crashed into the back of it.

Mason was airlifted by the Wiltshire Air Ambulance to the Royal United Hospital in Bath where he was in a critical condition.

Little Mason has now recovered enough to be back with his school friends at Kington St Michael Primary School a few days a week.

Headteacher Tracy Cornelius said: "It is wonderful to see Mason so happy and healthy again.

"He is such a cheerful little boy and it is fantastic to see his smiling face back at school.

"When we heard the news we were all so shocked and saddened - all of the staff and children sent him a balloon and a teddy to hospital to keep him company.

"He is getting back on track with his lessons and I wish him all the very best."

At the time of the collision PC John Armstrong said the coach had been following the car Mason was in, but failed to stop as the Land Rover waited to turn into the Devizes Sports Club.

Mason's family did not want to be identified but said that they were hugely grateful to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

They have also said that they are more than happy to back the Gazette's campaign to save the air ambulance.

Family liaison officer in the case PC Ashleigh Jones of Swindon Police said: "The family are happy to say that their son Mason is making remarkable progress and is back at school part time, which is amazing.

"He is a very lucky little boy."