Honeymoon crash victim is home and back on his feet

A TEACHER who was left in a coma after being hit by a speeding car while on honeymoon is back home, on his feet, and expected to make a full recovery.

John Tams suffered serious injuries along with his new wife Nicola after being hit by the car as they made their way back to their hotel in Sorrento, Italy, in the early hours of July 9.

The 30-year-old craft and design teacher at Dalkeith High School suffered serious head injuries and was put into an induced coma in Naples.

After spending the past six weeks in hospital, he was finally given the all-clear to leave and he and his wife – who sustained four broken ribs in the accident – have now returned to their Bonnyrigg home.

Despite also suffering a broken leg, pelvis and ribs, Mr Tams is said to be already walking around in his home.

His older brother Charles said he was confident he would make a full recovery and said the family was now rallying round to support the couple.

He said: "He is back home but there is still a long process ahead of him. He is making a good recovery.

"He is very tired but he is beginning to walk about. With what he has been through, he is not himself yet but he will make a full recovery and we are really happy with his progress.

"With everything the family has been through over the past six weeks, we are now trying to get our lives back to normal.

"It has been a lot of strain on myself and my mum and dad.

"From what happened then to now, we are very lucky."

A charity football match has been organised by Mr Tams' friends and team-mates from Hearts supporters club Real Maroon and Sunday amateurs Duddingston Athletic to help raise funds for the couple.

The two teams will join forces during the benefit match in Bonnyrigg on September 5 to take on a side made up of Hearts legends.

Mr Tams said he believed his brother would be fit enough by then to go and watch.

He said: "The football match was a gesture from the football teams he plays for. They are good pals and they wanted to do something to help John and Nicola."

Mr and Mrs Tams got married on July 3 before setting off on their honeymoon. Care worker Mrs Tams, 31, spent a week in hospital while she recovered from her injuries but vowed to stay in a hotel near her husband's hospital in Naples until she could bring him home.