A Dartford boy who 'should have died' after he was hit by a car while riding his bike has made an amazing recovery and is almost back to leading a normal life.

Samm Wiltshire, 19, was run over on Princes Road two-and-a-half years ago and his family were told by doctors if he did survive he was likely to remain in a vegetative state due to the severity of his brain injury.

But now Samm, who was in a coma for just under a month, is supporting his mum Amanda O'Dwyer, 41, who is preparing to run the London Marathon for the The Brain and Spine Foundation.

Miss O'Dwyer, of Wilmot Road, Dartford, told News Shopper: "We have had a horrendous time and we found this charity quite late on in our journey but they would have made a huge difference.

"I want other parents to know that the majority of head injuries are preventable because one in four of our young people aged 15-25 will suffer brain injury.

"Boys are five times more likely to suffer a head injury than girls and I want to try to prevent other families going through the nightmare we have. .

"Samm sustained severe head and brain injuries and had no function after the accident.

"He should have died.

"We were told that he might not wake up, and if he did he would be in a vegetative state.

"He couldn't eat, speak, or talk, he could just open his eyes and that was all.

"The accident totally turned our lives upside down, but now we want to show families can come out the other side."

The mother-of-two explained that Samm, who was studying for his A Levels at Leigh Technology College at the time of the accident, was a keen rugby player, skier and rower.

He spent three months recovering after the accident at Kings College Hospital and Darent Valley Hospital.

Samm then went into two neuro-rehabilitation units and had to re-learn everything from walking to writing.

Miss O'Dwyer added: "Samm is now living life almost like most 19-year-olds.

"He is happy but each day is a challenge.

"Physically he has recovered really well but he has cognitive disabilities and his memory is not the same.

"The Brain and Spine Foundation are the only charity in the UK to have a helpline where you can ring and talk to a neuro expert.

"Samm is able to walk and run and has made an incredible recovery.

"He was so determined and has come up against every challenge. I am so proud of him." Miss O'Dwyer has been training hard for the 26 mile challenge and completed the half marathon at Silverstone and she wants to raise £1800.

To donate visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MandyO and to find out more about the charity visit www.brainandspine.org.uk or call helpline is 0808 808 1000 .