A WIDNES Tigers player has been flown home to the UK – but he remains in intensive care after an accident on holiday.

James O’Neill, 29, is now in a stable condition in a hospital at The Walton Centre after he was found with life-threatening injuries while on a short break with friends in Magaluf.

His cousin Natalie Ostick, 31, who flew out with James’ parents and her sister Chloe, told the Runcorn and Widnes World that the family were overcome with relief when he was finally flown home.

She said: “James is now opening his eyes spontaneously and on command when he hears a familiar voice, sound or song.

“We are told that it is going to be a long process for him to regain complete consciousness but every day we are seeing small improvements down to the rehabilitation and physio process of The Walton Centre.

“The messages and calls of support have still been flooding in for James, needless to say, we wouldn’t have had James home as quickly as we did without the fundraising efforts of the community.

“We managed to raise more than £20,000 which meant we could pay there and then to get James home as soon as the bed became available.”

“Now, we are just so unbelievably happy that James is home.

“It honestly feels like we have won the lottery. He has a long road ahead but every day he is fighting to improve.”

His injuries were caused by an ‘horrific accident’ when James was on his way home.

Spanish police have confirmed that there were no suspicious circumstances.

But the family face further heartache over the insurance company.

Natalie added: “To our disappointment, James’ travel insurance company have refused to financially support James’ repatriation or long-term recovery down to the fact that he had some alcohol in his system.

“Even though it is still unsure as to the actual events that led to this ‘accident’.

“I feel extremely disappointed in this as what hard working individual who goes away on holiday, does not have a drink of alcohol?”

To donate visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jamesoneill