Miraculous 16-year-old boy wakes from coma with 'thumbs up’

Ryan Smith had been in a coma for four months since the bike accident

• Doctors told his family he probably has brain damage and could have died
• Boy, 16, didn't want to wear a cycle helmet as he didn't want to ruin his quiff
• He has woken and said: 'Hello mum and dad' before hugging his father
• Dad Mark said: 'It was the best hug I'd ever had, it felt incredible'

This is the moment a 16-year-old, left in a coma after being knocked off his bike, woke up after four months, spoke for the time and hugged his father, who had been by his hospital bed every day.

Ryan Smith was badly hurt as he cycled to work in Lincolnshire and was not wearing a helmet because he did not want to mess up his hair.

The teenager, who doctors say requires years of rehabilitation, has remained in hospital ever since the accident near the seaside village of Chapel St Leonards on July 22

His father Mark, 44, released heartbreaking pictures at the time of the collision of him cradling his brain-damaged son as he lay in a coma.

He has spent every day by Ryan's bed after being told his son might not survive.

Ryan's plight even touched Match of the Day pundit John Hartson who travelled to Pilgrim Hospital in Boston, Lincolnshire, from London to offer his support.

Paramedic Mark described the incredible moment Ryan woke from his coma to embrace him for the first time in months.

He said: 'It was an unbelievable moment - which is so hard to put into words. 

'To go from being told he might not survive to holding him in my arms was just a moment I will cherish forever.

'It was the best hug I'd ever had, it felt incredible.

'I asked him to say hello and he took a deep breath and said hello back.

'After jumping around for ten minutes I composed myself and thought I'd push my luck and ask him to say dad, and he did.

'Then mum asked for a mum and he went and said mum.

I have not felt so happy for so long - Ryan is a miracle.

'It was amazing, he has movement on his right side now too, his right arm, his right leg, his vision is good, his hearing if fine but there is a long way to go.

'He is showing true grit and determination and is very brave.'

Ryan will now undergo six months of rehabilitation at The Children's Trust unit in Tadworth, Surrey.

Mark, mother Julie, 46, and sisters Rachael and five-year-old Charlie May are hoping that within that time Ryan will be able to walk out of the hospital.

The family are now campaigning for a law to force cyclists to wear helmets after Ryan didn't wear one because of his quiff.

Mr Smith added: 'Next for Ryan is rehab and hopefully after that we can bring him home.

'We are all hoping that when he does finally come home he will be walking, but as I said there is a long way to go for Ryan yet.

'I just want everyone to know that they should be lit up when riding a bike, especially during these winter months as it is getting darker.

'I can make my four-year-old wear a helmet but it is harder to tell an image conscious teenager what to do.

'This needs to go to Parliament straight away but people have no excuse not to go and buy a helmet.'

Cycle helmets are not compulsory in Britain.

Olympic champion and Tour de France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins has also backed calls for legislation to force cyclists to wear them on roads.

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