THE parents of a teenager who was left fighting for his life after a road accident have told of the moment they feared the worst.

Daniel Stokes, 14, suffered a fractured skull when his bicycle was involved in a collision with a single-decker bus in Avelely. He was dragged 25 metres along the road.

Daniel's dad, Robert, 31 and sister Alexzandra, of Swale Close, Aveley, rushed to the scene, arriving moments after paramedics.

Robert said: "I got a call to say he had been in an accident. When I arrived he had gone into shock and was putting up a fight. All I could think about was calming him down.

"I'm just glad he's here to tell his story."

The accident happened in Purfleet Road, near the junction with Mill Road, at 6.30pm on August 1.

Daniel, who plays football for Ockendon Rhinos and supports West Ham was transferred from Basildon Hospital to London's Great Ormond Street.

He was then transferred back to Basildon and was allowed to return home.

Mum Ann McCaffrey, 31, paid tribute to those who offered support.

Ann, a doctor's surgery receptionist, said: "We were in accident and emergency thinking we wouldn't be going back with him.

"We thought he would be paralysed at the least."

Although he is back on his feet, Daniel still has to see a neurologist and will not be allowed to do a full week at school or play sports for several months.

Daniel, who is known to friends at the Aveley School as "Stokesy", said: "I can't remember anything except waking up after and being in a lot of pain. I'd like to thank my friends and girlfriend, Claire Bird, for their support."

His friends all chipped in to buy him a West Ham United shirt and get-well cards.

The driver of the Blue Triangle bus, a Dagenham man aged 44, was unhurt.

Witnesses to the accident should call Laindon Road Policing Unit on 01268 541312.