Mexico new year fall student wakes from coma

Philip was studying Spanish in Mexico as part of his degree course

A student who has been in a coma in Mexico since falling from a balcony on New Year's Eve has woken up, his family has said.

Philip Pain, 21, from Bexleyheath, south London, suffered life-threatening injuries after falling seven floors in Mazatlan.

It is hoped the Southampton University student will fly home next month.

After the accident his uncle, lottery winner Mark Gardiner, from East Sussex, appealed for blood donors.

Following Mr Gardiner's appeal, blood supplies were flown out to Mexico.

Daily operations

His father, Neil, told the BBC: "In the last week Philip has improved beyond all our expectations.

"From seeing him how he was when he came out of the coma and one day we were told they feared he had brain damage. Now they are saying there is no damage to his brain at all.

"He understand everything that is said to him whether it is in English or Spanish and he can answer in English or Spanish.

"He is having operations on almost a daily basis to try and save his right leg. They are worried about the circulation to his right leg."

The former Dartford Grammar School pupil was in Mexico studying Spanish as part of his degree.

It is not known how he fell from the hotel balcony, but a toxicology report showed no sign of drugs or excessive alcohol.

Mr Pain has no recollection of how he came to fall but his father believes he may have been sleepwalking.