A DAD from Torquay who kept a bedside vigil for his critically-injured son has revealed how he went from the worst day of his life to be the best when the casualty woke from his two-week coma.

Kevin Fannon was told last month that his son, also called Kevin, could die from the serious head injury he received in St Efrides Road, Torre, on the night of June 12/13.

But a week ago yesterday his despair turned to hope when 26-year-old Kevin finally emerged from his unconscious state to open his eyes.

"In the space of 10 days I went from the worst day of my life to the best day of my life.

"It's a horrible feeling to be a dad and told your son might die," said dad Kevin at a police press conference in Torquay yesterday.

He was at the resort's police station to repeat his appeal for help from anyone who may have seen what happened to his son before he was found collapsed and injured on the ground at 1am.

Mr Fannon expressed surprise that his son, a hotel waiter, had been allowed home so soon after being woken from his coma by medics.

He revealed that Kevin junior had been transferred from Plymouth's Derriford Hospital to Torbay Hospital on Thursday afternoon.

"He was only at Torbay for three hours when I got a call from them to say I could take him home.

"It was a bit of a shock. I thought it was a mistake," said the dad who added that a consultant surgeon at Derriford had emailed him afterwards to say his son should be receiving treatment at Derriford's brain rehabilitation unit.

"At the moment Kevin is still very groggy. He has a long way to go. His speech is slurred and he can't eat solids.

"He's lost two stone in weight. I honestly think he should be in hospital. His own doctor is seeing him on Monday to assess things," said Kevin.

Police say they will be speaking to Kevin junior as soon as he is fit to see them.

Acting Det Insp Jon Phillips said officers were hoping Kevin would be able to throw more light on what happened to him on the night.

For the moment police are keeping an open mind on events.

They think he was either the victim of a violent assault or may simply have fallen and banged his head badly.

Anyone with information is asked to ring Torquay CID on 08452 777444.

A Torbay Hospital spokeswoman said: "Derriford Hospital did transfer a patient to Torbay for us to set up an after-care package locally. That package has been set up. The patient and his father were advised that if they had any concerns they could come back."