A troop of soldiers invaded an Oxford hospital to do battle with some rough ground, as a thank-you to staff who cared for one of their colleagues following a near fatal crash.

The troops from the Royal Logistic Corps at the John Radcliffe Hospital

Martyn Evans, of the Royal Logistic Corps, suffered serious head injuries following a motorcycle accident in the summer.

But following a month at the John Radcliffe Hospital's intensive care unit (ICU), the 23-year-old Lance Corporal was able to start rehabilitation, and is due back at work at Dalton Barracks, Abingdon, in the new year.

In gratitude to doctors and nurses, about 20 soldiers spent yesterday (Thursday, November 26) clearing land outside the ICU and transforming it into a tranquil patio for patients, visitors and staff - in a Ground Force-style project.

They weeded the concrete plot, installed tubs of flowers and planted a tree.

L Cpl Evans was left with severe head injuries, a broken collar bone and broken knuckle when he crashed his bike in Oxford in July.

He was unconscious for four weeks. His family was warned he might have died, or could have been left with irreversible brain damage.

But following treatment at the JR's ICU, he was transferred to Warrington Hospital to continue his recovery near his family home.

Yesterday, he visited the JR and saw his colleagues for the first time since the accident. He said: "As far as I'm concerned, I'm completely over it now and will be returning back to work after Christmas. My mates are doing something as a thank-you to everyone in intensive care, and I think that's brilliant.

"It was really refreshing to see them all again and to know that they are all doing this for me. It's unbel- ievable."

ICU nurses welcomed the Royal Logistic Corps' help, which included replacing the threadbare sofa in the visitors' room with a new settee.

Head nurse Karen Campbell said: "Martyn's initial injury to his brain suggested that his chance of returning to normal life was greatly reduced. It's just so nice to see that he has had a miracle outcome and that our staff are so appreciated.

"Even though it's part of our job, it's nice that people feel they want to come back to thank us.

"Because our patients are so ill, they are given one-on-one care in our unit. Martyn had breathing difficulties and was totally reliant on a ventilator. If it had failed, he would have died."