THE family of a 19-year-old who sustained 87 per cent burns in a gas explosion four weeks ago in Chippenham have launched a JustGiving page to say thank you to the hospital staff looking after him.

Tracy and Chris Roe have been by their son Kyle’s side in the serious burns unit in Morriston Hospital, Swansea, for the last four weeks following the Market Place gas explosion. Now they hope to give something back to the staff who have been providing him with round the clock care.

“Today is the first time we have seen a little bit of improvement,” Mrs Roe told the Gazette. 

“He has been to surgery eight times already and it is putting his organs under a lot of strain but he is strong and this morning he was allowed to wake up from his induced coma.

“He is very confused and can’t speak because of the ventilator in his throat but we know it is a positive and he is positive. He is looking around and he knows that his parents are by his side.

“People are quick to shame the NHS but when something like this happens, they are so important. Kyle has got 24-hour care and there is always someone here and we want to say thanks.”

The Morrisons worker, who has three brothers Kallum, 22, Connor, 12, and Findlay, seven, sparked the gas explosion on the evening of October 18 when he switched on a light in his flat, according to the family.

More than 40 firefighters, dozens of paramedics, police and crisis workers raced to the scene to help evacuate nearby residents while the 19-year-old was treated.

Mr and Mrs Roe, who have been by his bedside since the blast, have been provided with free accommodation by Swansea’s League Of Friends so they can focus on their son’s recovery and helping the specialist burns unit providing his care.

“The surgeons have told us that it is because he is 19 and so fit and healthy that he has survived,” Mrs Roe said. “From my perspective we are in week four and the fact my son is still alive shows his strength.

“We just want to thank the hospital staff because they have been tremendous.”

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/robynne-hinkley-2.