RELATIVES of a lorry driver left fighting for his life after a horrific crash have said his remarkable recovery was the best Christmas present they could have wished for.

RELATIVES of a lorry driver left fighting for his life after a horrific crash have said his remarkable recovery was the best Christmas present they could have wished for.

Kevin Davidson was sedated in hospital for more than a week while he battled crippling injuries, but was able to see his family after waking for the first time on December 25.

His family, from Ipswich, had cancelled any thoughts of Christmas while they held a vigil at his bedside in Lincolnshire, but they said his ongoing recovery was a miracle.

His wife, Karen, three sons - Daniel, 22, Ryan, 18, and Carl, 21 - along with seven other family members were shocked to find him almost unrecognisable.

The 11 relatives, including Mr Davidson's mother, Hazel, spent the first night going out of their minds in a hospital waiting room.

Hazel Davidson, of Dumfries Road, Ipswich, said: “Emotions were running so high. At different times we would all break down with different emotions.”

His son, Daniel, said his father was also struggling to come to terms with his condition.

The 22-year-old said: “He has been the rock to this family. He is so independent and he doesn't like people doing things for him. He feels helpless.”

Karen Davidson said: “He was emotional. He didn't want to the boys to see him cry so he wanted them outside.

“I just want to say thank you to the nurses and doctors, family and friends and my bosses because they have all been fantastic.”

However, she raised fears that her husband will never return to the family home in Birkfield Drive because they are being forced to move this week due to financial reasons.

Mr Davidson, an ex-army sergeant major, suffered a series of appalling injuries in the crash on December 17 - the day before the family had planned to go Christmas shopping together.

It was not known for a long time whether he would pull through, but his condition had improved enough for him to be transferred to a critical care unit at Ipswich Hospital on Boxing Day.

Karen Davidson, who has been married to Kevin for 23 years, said: “He is a fighter. We are so pleased, but we are still nervous and apprehensive.”

Son Ryan, 18, added: “We are not going to have a Christmas until my dad gets back on his feet. That would be the best Christmas present ever.”

Mr Davidson was left with internal bleeding, crushed lungs, a number of broken bones and also suffered a heart attack after his lorry was left on its side following an incident with a Vauxhall van and a Vauxhall Vectra.

He was trapped inside his Scania HGV after the accident at 7.30am on the A16 at Dalby in Lincolnshire.

So severe was the crash that the road was not fully re-opened for nine hours while the debris was cleared.

Mr Davidson was in the Royal Logistics Corps for 24 years and served in Bosnia and Northern Ireland before becoming a lorry driver in 2002.

A Lincolnshire police spokeswoman said: “The cause of the collision is still not known, but is subject to an ongoing investigation and we are still appealing for any witnesses to the collision or sightings of any of the vehicles involved prior to the collision.”