THE family of a young soldier seriously injured in a crash in Cyprus were yesterday keeping a vigil by his bedside.

A Land Rover carrying Fusilier Marc Dryburgh, 23, was making its way from a garrison at Dhekelia to Ayia Nicholas when it hit a tree last Tuesday morning.

His colleague, Daniel Whinham, 22, was killed in the crash.

Lance Corporal Dryburgh, 23, from Ashington, Northumberland, was due to marry fiance Emma Currie and christen their newborn baby daughter. But their plans for the future are on hold as he lies unconscious, clinging to life.

The two were to marry in Cyprus on January 7, and their two-month-old daughter Megan was to be christened the following day.

Now Emma and L Cpl Dryburgh's parents, Lynda and Ian, are at his bedside as he lies attached to a ventilator in Larnaca General Hospital.

His grandmother, Denese Coombs, 75, said: "We are also thinking about the other families all the time. It is terrible. Christmas is cancelled for everyone."

The family are taking heart from the fact that his condition is stable.

L Cpl Dryburgh, serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, stationed in Dhekelia, on Cyprus's south-east coast, suffered numerous injuries, including a broken hip and elbow, a collapsed lung and head and chest injuries.

The Army believes it may be possible to fly him back to a military hospital in Birmingham before Christmas.

The parents of Mr Whinham, from Gateshead, who was killed in the crash, have paid tribute to the young Fusilier.

Daniel's mother Judith said: "Daniel will always remain in our hearts and thoughts as a loving and devoted son and brother."