A HOLIDAYMAKER who was left fighting for his life after being hit by a wheel during a freak road accident in America has regained consciousness.
Philip Gallimore, from Brownlow Fold, was sitting in the front seat of his sister's car in Rhode Island, in Connecticut, when a tyre fell off a passing trailer and crashed through the windscreen.
The 42-year-old suffered severe swelling to the brain and was placed in a medical induced coma in hospital.
He is now breathing on his own without a ventilator and has been moved out of intensive care.
If doctors feel he is well enough to travel, Mr Gallimore could be flown home by air ambulance at the end of the next week to continue his rehabilitation.
Mr Gallimore had travelled to the USA with his 69-year-old mother Margaret for a two-week break to see his sister Lindsey Green, who emigrated 18 years ago, and her family.
They were driving on the outskirts of the town of Warwick when the accident happened on September 9.
His sister Lindsey Green was driving and his mother Margaret was in the back seat.
They both escaped with cuts and bruises.
The two women have been keeping a vigil at his bedside.
Mrs Green, aged 40, said: "He is improving. Every day, we see a change.
"His eyes are open and he can hear what we are saying because he turns his head towards us when we are speaking to him.
"He can communicate by giving us a thumbs up.
"He is unable to talk or feed himself and is hooked up to a feeding tube.
"The doctors don't know the extent of any damage caused. It is too early to say, but they are really pleased with his progress. We are not sure if he recognises who we are.
"The insurance company want to fly him home next week but the doctors will only discharge him if he is well enough.
"My mum will probably fly back with him. We are coping all right and are staying strong."
Mr Gallimore is an avid Bolton Wanderers fan and a keen pool player. He is general secretary of the Deane and Daubhill Pool League and plays for the Royal British Legion's team.
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