Craig back from the dead

Slowly the realisation dawned on him. This wasn't his bedroom at the family's Hulton Lane home.

He could not move his arms or legs, he was in excruciating pain, and had lost four stone in weight.

The 18-year-old was "waking up" from a three-and-a-half month coma, in his hospital bed in a long stay residential ward at Ladywell Hospital, Eccles. It sparked talk of a "miracle" from the loving family who had faced up to his possible death on countless occasions.

And when Craig managed to whisper the two simple words "hello mum", it was greeted with floods of grateful tears by his family who had been told by medical experts to expect the worst.

Craig had left his home for a night out with friends almost four months earlier, but never returned.

He was the victim of a brutal attack in which his head was stamped on as he lay helpless on the ground.

A top doctor later said the brain injuries Craig suffered were the most serious he had seen in a living person in his 20 years experience.

This week the attacker, Simon Clarke, 18, was jailed for six years in Bolton Crown Court.

Now Craig and his family have spoken exclusively to the BEN about the horrors they faced, and those which still lie ahead.

Mum, Pamela Walkden, said: "When it first happened I knew it was serious by the way in which we were taken into the relatives' room in the Royal Bolton Hospital."

That marked the start of an emotional rollercoaster, during which Craig was transferred to and from Bolton and Preston hospitals, and in and out of intensive care.

His stepdad, Les, said: "At one time we thought he had said the word 'mum', but then that was it - nothing for ages."

An early chest infection almost killed him. Pamela said: "He was given antibiotics and a couple of days later he opened his eyes, but was not really conscious. He began making a terrible wailing noise."

Soon afterwards he had a seizure. A tracheotomy also had to be performed, and a tube was inserted up Craig's nose to feed him. The tube was transferred into his stomach, where it remains, when he moved to his current 'home' at Ladywell Hospital.

Pamela said: "At that point he was still in his coma. He lost about four stone in weight and had to be turned every two hours. His pressure sores were horrific."

Then Craig contracted a serious chest infection. He was rushed to Hope Hospital. Pamela and Les were going to go home to get their daughter, Nina, 13, when they received a call telling them to return to the hospital.

Pamela said: "We were taken into a little room and staff told us they were frightened Craig might have a heart attack. We had been told Craig had suffered about 80 per cent brain damage and that his current state was as good as he would get.

"They asked us if he did have a cardiac arrest whether I would want them to resuscitate him, or let him go." Pamela was never in any doubt and Craig once again recovered to return to his coma.

Weeks later, days before Christmas, the family received the present they had desperately wished for.

Pamela's mother, Edna Tattersall, had sat with him day after day whenever Pamela, Les, or his father, Graham Williams, could not be there. Pamela said: "I arrived at the hospital and found her uncontrollably excited.

"They physio had been giving him a chest massage when she saw his mouth moving. She coaxed him, and eventually he said 'hiya'. The place was buzzing. I was so nervous.

"I walked into his room, and said 'hello'. He turned to me and said 'hello mum' and everyone started crying.

"Craig has come on leaps and bounds since Christmas. The physiotherapists have been marvellous. I feel as though a miracle has happened."

Mercifully, Craig remembers nothing of his fight for life, or of the attack which has left him in a wheelchair. He said: "I just woke up one day and thought my room's been changed. I thought I must have fallen off my motorbike."

Worried about how he would react to the news of what had really happened to him, his family decided to let him go on believing he had been involved in a motorbike accident.

Eventually, with the advice of the clinical psychiatrist, he was told the truth.

Craig said: "I felt horrible. The anger I feel is so unbelievable. People do not see me during the darkest hours when I feel I cannot take this any more, I cannot take the pain. Friends visit, but it is almost unbearable when they have to leave me.

"I watch videos and have borrowed an electric wheelchair which means I can get out of my room and talk to other people.

"I have also started having computer lessons twice a week and listen to my music. My girlfriend, Nicola, has been brilliant. She has stayed with me throughout."

Pamela said: "For a 16-year-old, she has shown a courage beyond her years."

Craig added: "Since this has happened, I have realised what good friends I have. I would like to thank them all."

But Craig saves particular thanks for the passers-by who helped save his life on the night of the attack. Andrea Pollard and Tracy Murphy supported Craig's head and called for help when they spotted him lying helpless on the pavement.

Pamela said: "They were total strangers to us, but now they are like two extra daughters. They still visit and keep in touch."

And of other wellwishers, Pamela said: "We have had so many good wishes even from people we have never met. Before this happened, I remember reading about others who had suffered a similar fate, and feeling so sorry for them. But then you get up and get on with life.

"Craig has been so very brave about it all, but it is only now, months later that the cracks in the family are beginning to show. We all plan our lives never believing this sort of thing will happen."

Craig said: "I never thought I would celebrate my 18th birthday like this. But when I get out we will have a joint party - mum's 40th and my 18th.

"I am determined I will get back the use of my arms and legs. If I ever saw the man who did this to me again, I wouldn't want to speak to him.

"My dearest wish is to be able to just walk past him, because he is not keeping me in a chair like this for the rest of my life."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.