A TEENAGER involved in a crash near Ponsanooth on Friday morning has 'gone downhill' rapidly and is now in an induced coma.

A fundraising page has been set up to help Jack Watts' family remain by his bedside at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.

Jack, 18 and from Falmouth, was one of those involved in the crash on the A393 at Burnthouse at around 7am on Friday.

The road was shut between Treluswell and Frog Hill at Ponsanooth while the recovery operation took place.

On the Go Fund Me page set up to assist the family, Jack's mum, Sonia Gaisford, said: "He has gone downhill so quickly. He was talking away during the accident, making sure everyone else was OK.

"They found out he broke his thigh bone, but the marrowbone from the break has gone to his bloodstream and caused his lungs to swell, so (they) couldn't operate as they had intended.

"He also chipped his kneecap, but they have successfully operated on that. He (then) became very sleepy, so they did a CT scan and found chest bruising and a swell of his brain.

"They decided to induce him into a coma and transfer him to Derriford hospital where they have more specialist equipment to deal with his condition. That's where we are now."

The fundraising page has been set up by a family friend, who said Jack is a passionate rugby player who loves cars.

Jack has just started his apprenticeship with Hopley's Coaches as a mechanic, with hopes to go on to become a driver for them.

Sonia described Jack as a "cheeky character with the best smile".

The funds will be used to pay for accommodation near the hospital, transport, food for the family – mum Sonia, dad Mark, brothers Ben and Kody, sister Charlie and girlfriend Zoe – and anything that will help support Jack on his road to recovery.

At the time of writing (2.15pm), the page had raised £373, with the total rising quickly.

UPDATE: At 3.50pm the total had risen to nearly £1,000. At 8pm, it had topped £1,500.