Daniel Peeling was looking forward to a day with his dad and the prospect of a new job when he was hit by a van in Lawson Avenue, Stanground, Peterborough, on June 19.

The 18-year-old flew off his bike, skidded almost 50 metres and came to rest on the kerb near to a garden wall, while the driver of the van fled the scene, leaving Daniel critically injured.

When emergency services arrived at the scene, Daniel was rushed to Peterborough District Hospital and later transferred to the Neurosciences Critical Care Unit (NCCU) at Addenbrooke's Hospital, in Cambridge, where medical teams fought to save his life.

Daniel had suffered a bleed on the left side of his brain, a fractured skull, fractured cheek bones, broken lower jaw, one break in his left arm, two breaks in his right arm, bruised lungs and a broken leg.

Daniel, from Southfields Avenue, Stanground, went on to spend three and a half days on a life support machine, while his parents, other close relatives and friends sat by his bedside, clinging on to hope that the bubbly teenager would pull through.

Today, Daniel's dad, Tank (45) has spoken of the heartache and grief the family have been through.

Mr Peeling said: "We were then told on the morning of the accident by the chief surgeon that he honestly didn't think Daniel would make it.

"It is impossible to describe how we all felt. It was like our world had ended. But he pulled through, and it has been an emotional few weeks for everyone, especially Daniel.

"He was left for dead, but luckily he is a big lad and a fighter and he has pulled through the worst of it, but we still don't know what lasting affects he will be left with.

"Daniel is just beginning to move his right leg but there is still not a lot of movement in his right arm.

"He is starting to get his sense of humour back but he is not out of the woods yet. We'll be happy to get him home."

Since he was first admitted to hospital, Daniel has celebrated his 18th birthday and also opened his exam results where he achieved two merits and three passes in engineering, which he was delighted with.

Daniel, who was a full-time student at Peterborough Regional College and also worked part time at Showcase Cinemas, is, along with his family, a big bike lover.

The family are now preparing to hold a beer festival at The Crown Inn, in Elton, over the weekend (Friday to Sunday) to raise money for the NCCU and it is hoped Daniel will be released from hospital to join in with the fund-raising on Sunday.
There will be live music all weekend, barbecue and hog roast, bouncy castle, face painting, falconry, dancers and more

Visit www.thecrowninn.org