AN 11-year-old boy, who fought for his life after being hit by a car, has spoken of his ordeal for the first time.

Zach Ashley, of Bron y Wern, Bagillt, spent a week fighting for his life in an induced coma following an emergency operation at Alder Hey Hospital, Liverpool. Zach was hit by a car while playing on his scooter on Bagillt High Street on April 4.

The Ysgol Merllyn pupil left hospital on Tuesday night, leaving his parents Alex, Ann and sister Sarah, 14, feeling “ecstatic” to have him home.

And Zach considers himself lucky and is looking forward to going back to school on Tuesday.

He said: “I don’t really remember getting hit by a car or going in the ambulance. The first thing I remember is waking up in the hospital and I was thirsty. I feel lucky.”

Zach suffered a fractured skull and a sprained ankle and wrist in the accident.

Dad Alex, a bus driver, described the moment his son regained consciousness.

He said: “They told him to squeeze my hand, all he did was grab it slightly. It was fantastic. It was enough to let us know he was still there.

“It was a big relief coming home from hospital. It is a weight off our shoulders. At one point they said he could die. It is hard to go back to that place mentally. Emotions went out the window. You sat there like a zombie.”

He added: “Day by day he got better. They were amazed because of how well he did.”

Ann, who staged a 22-day vigil at her son’s bedside along with other family members, said: “We are ecstatic that he is home. He is doing well. He will have to go back for check-ups periodically. It makes you think how lucky we have been. It could have quite easily gone the other way.”

While in hospital Zach was visited by friends and the family have been inundated with cards from well wishers.

Ann said the family wanted to thank all those who helped care for Zach, describing his treatment as “fantastic”, and to Ronald McDonald House which provides free accommodation for the family.

And the fifth family member, German Shepherd Menai, was also thrilled to see Zach return home.

Zach said: “She was excited and started licking my neck.”

The male driver of the grey Ford Ka involved in the collision did not suffer any injuries and no action was taken by North Wales Police.