A YOUNG father is fighting for his life in hospital after being involved in a quad bike accident on a Greek island.

Ash Williamson, aged 23, was on holiday in Heraklion, Crete, with his girlfriend, Natalie Rigg, when he was seriously hurt on Sunday.

He is being kept unconscious in hospital and family and friends are praying he will pull through. He was woken for a short time last night and is showing signs of improvement.

The couple had gone on a last minute week-long break and were due to fly home on Tuesday.

The details of what happened to him are unclear, but it is understood he had gone for a drive on his own and Miss Rigg had stayed at their hotel.

His brother, 26-year-old Nicky Lomax, from Halliwell, said: “He was on his own at the time when it happened so no one really knows what happened.

“We won’t know until he wakes up properly and tells us.

“We are not sure on the extent of his injuries. He has been woken up once, but the doctors have put him back to sleep.

“He is a fighter, we are praying for him to pull through.

“It has been very stressful, we have hardly slept since we found out.”

The resort where the couple were staying is two hours away from the hospital and Miss Rigg is travelling each day to see him.

His father, Antony Williamson, has also gone over and his mother, Julie Lomax, has also flown out to be at his bedside.

A page on the social networking website, Facebook, Prayers for Ash Williamson, has been set up with updates on his condition.

Friends and family are now collecting money to help support the couple as it is not known how long Mr Williamson will be in hospital in Crete.

Friend Stephen Rigg, who set up the page, said: “The support has been overwhelming and people have pulled together.

“We are updating the page with the information we are getting, but we don’t know what is properly going on because of the language barrier.

“People are asking if they can help, so we have set up a Paypal account and are putting buckets in local businesses so people can donate money to help the family.

“They are having to organise flights, sort out accommodation and other costs, so every little helps.”

Mr Williamson is from Halliwell and has a threeyear- old son with a previous partner. He went to Withins School.

People can donate through Paypal — the link can be found on the Facebook page, which now has more than 1,500 likes.

Collection buckets will be at Elite Boxing at Wordsworth Mill, The Claremont Arms in Halliwell Road, The Cotton Tree in Prince Street, the Brown Cow Salon in Halliwell Road, Lady Muck Hair, Beauty and Spa in Halliwell Road and The Castle and Starkie Arms pubs in Tonge Moor Road.