Stokesley man left with brain damage does Middlesbrough 3k

John Noble, 29, from Stokesley, North Yorkshire, was involved in the horror crash in Hutton Rudby in April 2015, which left him with devastating head injuries and killed his friend.

John in the hospital following the devastating crash (Image: JOHN NOBLE)

Following the crash, John was given a two per cent chance of survival by doctors who treated him for nine months at Middlesbrough's James Cook Hospital.

Mr Noble spent a further 13 months at the Walkergate Park Centre in Newcastle, where he was still unable to talk, walk or eat.

John before the Middlesbrough 3K event (Image: JOHN NOBLE)

John and his family were told by experts that he would never be able to walk or talk again, but, after nine years, John has defied expectations, and can now walk with a frame and hold conversations.

Gradually, the 29-year-old has managed to relearn the skills, and, despite the odds, has now managed to complete the Middlesbrough 3k.

John Noble and his friend Bethan McCarthy (Image: JOHN NOBLE)

Despite being a keen runner and footballer before the accident when he was just 20-years-old, John says that the recovery to this point has been "very difficult" but admits that he is "proud" of the progress he has made. 

The only setback Mr Noble has noted is that his memories of slightly before the accident, which saw him thrown through the windscreen of the car he was in, and the aftermath of the incident have been completely wiped from his mind.

John enjoying a drink after the Middlesbrough 3K (Image: JOHN NOBLE)

He said: "I used to be a keen runner, who would also play football - I had to relearn walking during my recovery, and I'm proud I've managed to do this 3k."

The 3k event, which took place at the start of September, was an opportunity to raise funds for James Cook Hospital and the doctors who he credits with saving his life. 

Most read:

• County Durham takeaway heavily fined in court over health and safety failings
• Cheapest home in Bishop Auckland up for sale for £48,000 - look inside
• Fundraiser started by man who died running Great North Run hits £21k

Subscribe to The Northern Echo now for just £3 for 3 months or 30% off an annual subscription.

Mr Noble added: "Without James Cook and the doctors, I would not be here. They saved my life."

For the Middlesbrough 3k, John, who walks with a supporting frame, was joined by five of his friends and his physio Jenny Alexanders.

After completing the feat, he says he is "over the moon" and now has Middlesbrough's 10k as a goal for next year.

Mr Noble has also managed to raise more than £600 for James Cook Hospital during the 3k charity challenge, with people still able to donate to his fundraising page here.