Brosnan's son on the mend

Sean Brosnan and his father at a 007 premiere

The 16-year-old son of James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan is expected to make a full recovery from injuries he received in a car crash at the weekend.

Sean Brosnan suffered multiple fractures and spinal injuries when the vehicle he was in plunged down a bush-covered bank on the Malibu coast.

It was initially feared he might be paralysed, but now doctors expect to discharge him from hopsital within a week.

The California Highway Patrol said the driver of the vehicle, 19-year-old James Hall - one of Sean's friends - has been charged with drunken driving as a result of Saturday's accident.

Pierce Brosnan is best known as the latest James Bond

Pierce Brosnan, best known for his role as secret agent Bond in the 007 films, was contacted at his home in Malibu shortly after the accident.

He accompanied his son in a helicopter to the UCLA Medical Centre and stayed by his bedside.

'Lost control'

In a statement, the actor expressed his "deepest thanks" to the medical team who had saved his son from "the jaws of death".

"Because of the aforementioned men and women, I am assured of my son's recovery and that he will have a full life as a result of their skill and nurturing, their deep compassion and caring," Brosnan added.

Driver Hall told police he lost control of the 1982 Chevrolet Blazer when he tried to avoid hitting a rock.

The vehicle then plunged over an embankment on a private road in the Malibu hills.

Four other teenagers were in the car at the time of the accident and suffered minor injuries. Only Sean was taken to hospital.

The police said some passengers had not been wearing seatbelts, and were thrown from the vehicle.

Pierce Brosnan was at his Malibu home when the accident happened.

The Irish-born star, who is engaged to be married, lost his wife Cassandra Harris to ovarian cancer in 1991.