A Kingston University student is marking the first anniversary of a crash which left him fighting for his life after the coach he was on tipped over and tore open a house in a Bolivian desert town.

Worcester Park man Oliver Webber, 25, of Leyfield, and his girlfriend Kiwi Samson, 22, had decided to take on South America in a three-month trip when they were involved in the terrifying accident on July 13, last year.

The couple, who were only two weeks into a trip that would take in Peru, Colombia and Mexico, boarded the coach for a nine-hour night journey to the Salt Flats in Uyuni on July 13, last year.

But five hours into the journey, they were flung out of their seats head first.

Mr Webber said: “It was very sudden. We were in a state of shock. I can’t remember how it happened. I don’t remember the first three weeks in Bolivia after.

“The brain has an ability to shut this out. It is completely closed off but I am unbelievably lucky to be alive.”

During the crash part of Mr Webber’s skull shattered and pressure and severe bleeding also moved his brain from its proper position.

It took eight hours for the couple to be taken to a hospital where a Bolivian surgeon conducted surgery on Mr Webber.

Mr Webber was left on life support and spent nearly two months in hospital abroad with doctors and nurses who did not speak English, but his family were by his bedside.

Mr Webber said: “I finally came around. I slowly began to hold conversations, recognise friends and family and slowly regain awareness around me.

“Everyone’s support while I was sleeping, while I was mumbling, repeating, forgetting, while I was exhausted, confused – the patience and love and care that everyone showed was unbelievable.

“The doctors brought me back to life, but it was everyone else that brought me back to reality.”

Mr Webber, who is still with Miss Samson, will return to Kingston University to finish his architecture degree in September and the pair hope to continue travelling through South America at some point.

But first he will be doing a 1,000 mile charity cycle ride from John O’Groats to Lands End with his brother to mark the first anniversary of the crash.

He will be raising money for the Queen Elizabeth Foundation in Banstead for all their physiotherapy and rehabilitation support following his return home.

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