A BOLTON mother has spoken from her hospital bed of the crash that brought a dream holiday to a tragic end.

Glennys Astley, her husband Don, their son Ian, aged 16, and his friend Richard Howarth, also 16, were on a trip in Austria when their coach crashed down a hillside.

Five people were killed and another 40 injured.

Mrs Astley, aged 55, was flown to a hospital in Munich where she stayed in intensive care for several days. She suffered seven broken ribs and spinal injuries.

She was flown back to the Royal Bolton Hospital last Friday and is expected to stay there for two weeks.

Her husband and son escaped with minor injuries, but Richard Howarth was more seriously injured and was taken to hospital in Innsbruck. He is now recovering in Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester.

Mrs Astley, who is a magistrate and lives in Astley Bridge, said: "The four of us were going to do some sightseeing because the lads were hoping to do A-level history at school.

"We wanted to travel to the Czech Republic and Vienna and we had just been to the Eagle's Nest where Hitler was based during much of the war. I don't remember anything about what happened next and I hope I never do.

"I do remember some bits from the rescue operation . . . someone was bending over me trying to get the rings off my fingers."

She said the next thing she remembered was a telephone call in hospital from her middle son Michael, aged 26, telling her he was coming out from Bolton to visit her.

"The staff were very good and there was an American doctor who would talk to me," she said.

"I know I was taken to the hospital by helicopter and was told the rescue operation was very well run with helicopters on the scene very quickly."

In Munich, Mrs Astley was given stitches, had an operation to put a metal plate into her back and had treatment for fluid on punctured lungs. Now in Bolton, she is having physiotherapy every day to get her back on her feet.

She said: "I need help to get out of bed because my ribs are still sore. I can walk using crutches and should be sitting up in the next day or so.

"We have to stay positive because we have a lot of things to look forward to. Ian will be doing his A-levels and I have a grandson to catch up with.

"We have had so much support from everybody really. My children flew out to see me and my friends at Seymour Road Theatre Church have drawn up a rota to come and see me.

"We've had so many cards and letters of support."