A TEENAGER recovering at home after he escaped unhurt from an Austrian coach crash which killed five British holidaymakers today admitted: "I know I am lucky to be alive."
Ian Astley, aged 16, walked away with only minor injuries when the holiday coach he was travelling on with his parents and a school friend tumbled 100 feet down a steep mountain side near to Salzburg.
The Canon Slade school pupil was thrown from the coach as it started to roll sideways down the hill with his family still inside. His mother, Glennys Astley, aged 55, and class mate Richard Howard, also 16, were still in hospital today this lunchtime after suffering serious injuries in the horrific crash.
Ian, of Crompton Way, Bolton, returned to the UK last week after keeping a vigil at his mother's bedside since the crash on August 11. The teenager said: "I am very lucky. I got thrown out of the bus and saw it rolling away.
"After the crash I ran down and saw Richard shouting in pain but I did not realise how badly he was hurt.
"Then I saw my mum being taken away on a stretcher.
"It was terrifying to think that she was in a bad way.
"It is a bizarre feeling to have been in a crash where people have died - and very upsetting.
"I am just looking forward to having my mum back and seeing Richard again."
Mrs Astley was left fighting for her life after suffering broken ribs and a suspected punctured lung when the coach rolled down the steep bank.
Son Peter Astley said: "She is improving all the time.
"She has been able to stand up and has been eating so we are hoping that she is going to come home this weekend. It is a big relief for us all."
Mr Astley, aged 57, remains at her bedside in hospital in Munich, Germany. Richard, of Walkden Road, Worsley, who was on holiday with the Astleys, sustained injuries down his left side, including facial injuries, torn spleen, ruptured liver and "traumatised lungs".
He was kept in an induced coma by doctors at a hospital in Innsbruck and subsequently suffered pneumonia.
His parents Melanie and Martin Howard flew out to be by their son's side immediately after the crash.
His grandfather, Brian Evitts, who also flew out last week, said: "It was heartbreaking to see him in that state when I got out there last week but he has fought very hard. They took him out of the coma and he is getting better all the time.
"We hope he will be able to fly back in around a week where he will be moved into Royal Bolton Hospital."
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