A FORMER Sherborne schoolboy is recovering from serious head injuries after he was found lying in the road a third of a mile from where his car had crashed into a tree.

Car salesman Marcus Cliffe, 24, of Alweston, near Sherborne was driving home from his job in Bristol just before midnight on Friday when his blue Toyota Yaris left the road, crashed through a railing and hit a tree by the A371 near the Bath and West Showground.

Although seriously injured, the former Gryphon student then walked for a third of a mile further south along the A-road before collapsing.

He was found by a passing motorist who called the emergency services.

His dad Paul Cliffe said: "Marcus doesn't recall anything at all. He remembers being in Bristol but doesn't remember anything after then which I'm led to believe is quite normal.

"Whoever the passer-by was that noticed him face down in the mud, we want to thank them very much indeed. Goodness knows what would have happened if Marcus wasn't seen."

Police and an air ambulance were called to the crash scene and Marcus was taken to Yeovil District Hospital with severe head injuries and placed in the intensive care unit.

Doctors have discovered a blood clot on his brain which they hope will disperse naturally and not require surgery.

He regained consciousness on Sunday evening and was moved to a hospital ward on Monday.

His dad said: "We were notified at about 2am on Saturday morning by local police who didn't have any details of the accident, but they woke us to take us immediately to Yeovil hospital. When we saw Marcus he was unconscious.

"It has been a terrible time for the whole family but we are very appreciative of the entire staff at Yeovil hospital who have worked tirelessly with Marcus and have been absolutely brilliant.

"The good wishes from Marcus's friends and friends of the family have been extremely supportive and we can't thank them enough."

Speaking to the Western Gazette on Tuesday, Mr Cliffe said his son was recovering.

"We are waiting to hear of Marcus's latest progress today. He slept well last night. We are now into the recuperation period," Mr Cliffe said.

Police believe a stream of water flowing across the road where the crash happened had frozen and have asked motorists who experienced icy driving conditions near the Bath and West Showground on Friday night to contact them by calling 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

The fire brigade helped police search the area around the crash for anyone else who may have been involved and was injured nearby.

Firefighters from Shepton Mallet used a thermal imaging camera to search both sides of the A371 following the crash but did not find anyone else.