Holiday crash victim Ben is ‘on the mend’

Pontefract youngster Ben was on holiday in Skipsea, East Yorkshire, with his family when they were involved in the accident on Wednesday, July 29.

He had to have a pioneering operation on his aorta and remains in hospital at Leeds General Infirmary (LGI).

His mum Kerrie Chester, who was also injured in the accident, says he is recovering well.

Ms Chester, 25, said: “Ben is now on the surgical ward at LGI and is no longer in intensive care because his operation went so well.

“He is having physio twice a day to help get him moving and so that we can get him into a wheelchair.

“We are just so relieved that he is on the mend and it’s so nice to see him smiling and back to his cheeky self.

“I can’t put into words how traumatic the last two weeks have been.

“It was literally a case of him having the operation or he would died. It was as simple as that and we had to give a chance.”

Orchard Head Primary School pupil Ben, from Nevison, was enjoying his first family holiday with mum Kerrie, step-dad Andy and his one-year-old sister Khloe Jean.

As well as tearing his aorta, he also broke his pelvis and dislocated his right thumb.

Ms Chester said: “Everyone has just been so supportive since it happened.

“All of my friends and family have been rushing around helping us out and all of the staff at Orchard Head school have been really concerned as well.

“Even though it’s the holidays two of his teachers have been to see him in hospital which is really nice.”

Ms Chester said the family still don’t know when Ben will be able to leave hospital.