Nottingham Man Home After Thailand Ordeal

A Nottingham man who was critically injured in Thailand has finally arrived back in the UK after being delayed for days due to adverse weather conditions.

Antony Giles was due to fly home on Saturday night after he recovered enough to travel, but was diverted to Copenhagen due to bad weather at Heathrow.

He finally landed on home ground at five minutes past midnight on Tuesday. The 23-year-old, from Stapleford in the city, was seriously hurt after he was involved in a collision with a car while riding as a passenger on his friend's moped in the capital Bangkok last month.

He suffered serious injuries to his legs, arm and chest and has since been receiving treatment in a Bangkok hospital.

His parents, Debbie and Allan, and his wife Nid returned with the diving instructor after they raised enough cash through a massive fundraising appeal to fly him home.

They were met at Heathrow by two St John Ambulance crews who watched the reunion as Mr Giles was greeted by his grandfather Michael Flude, and other members of the family.

Mr Flude said his grandson was ``very emotional'' when he arrived but added the family were staggered at his recovery so far, especially because they were warned he might not survive after the accident on November 25.

Mr Giles and his mother, who had nursed him throughout the flight, were then driven home to Stapleford by the St John Ambulance crew, where they arrived just before 4am yesterday.

Andy Turton, one of the crew who endured the atrocious weather conditions to help get the family home, said: ``Antony was very tired after the flight but relieved to be home. It was emotional for the family to see him back on home turf and very rewarding for us to be able to help reunite the family in time for Christmas. Antony shook our hands and thanked us for all that we had done.''

Mr Flude said it was expected his grandson would now be allowed to spend a couple of days at home until he was due back in hospital for further treatment.