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Just weeks after cheating death, Sam Eastwell told how he played a prank on his anxious family as they gathered at his bedside.

In an exclusive interview the day after Sam returned to his Ramsgate home, following a miraculous recovery from life-threatening head injuries and threatened heart, liver and kidney failure, the 17-year-old student said: “I couldn’t talk properly so I typed just three words on a pad - who are you?” His family feared he had no idea who they were. But his mother Sharon said: “Then he leaned back and grinned from ear to ear at us. He gave us a real shock.”

Speaking in a whisper due to a damaged throat, Sam confided: “It was a wind up. I wanted to show I still had my sense of humour.”

It was a critical turning point for the close-knit Eastwells after a nightmare month in which they had kissed Sam one last goodbye as he went for vital life-saving treatment, six days after the initial surgery for brain damage he suffered in a night-time street attack in Ramsgate early on August 7.

Sharon, father Stuart, brothers Daryl,18, and Callum, nine, have been overwhelmed by the public support from the people of Thanet during the dark and desperate days since the violent assault, during when Sam’s life was held by a slender thread at times.

The first Sharon knew of her son’s plight was when a friend called to talk to him. It was around midday on August 7 and she went upstairs to wake him, thinking he was still asleep after a night out. She said: “It’s not unusual for the boys to sleep until around 2pm if they have been out, so I had no idea anything was wrong. Then it all became a horrible frenzy.”

She phoned the QEQM hospital at Margate to see if he was there, but they had no record because anything that could identify him had been stolen. He was recorded as an unknown male and was already at Kings College Hospital in London undergoing brain surgery. Contact with the police resulted in Sharon and Daryl racing to London, while Stuart, a second chef with P and O ferries had to get back to England from Calais as soon as possible.

Sharon identified her son at hospital where he was already on a ventilator in an induced coma on life-support machines. Doctors told her he was extremely ill with no guarantee of recovery.

But Sam’s physical fitness held him stable as the fight for life began, as did a round-the-clock bedside vigil for the family.

Sharon said: “Six days later doctors tried to reduce sedation levels. Little Callum and my mum Rose were there waiting for him to wake up. But his body went into a cold sweat and his face turned bright yellow. Doctors were shocked and he was rushed to theatre. They said he was gravely ill and we all kissed him goodbye.”

Surgery revealed the start of liver, heart and kidney failure. It was touch and go as a team of specialists worked to stabilise their young patient.

Sharon said: “It was a rollercoaster of emotions. We went from hope to despair and grasped onto whatever hope was offered.”

Essential drugs made Sam’s body bloat to an unrecognisable state as the treatment continued and Sharon said: “It looked like he was going to burst.”

Progress was slow but gradually the spaghetti of cables and myriad machines were removed. Staff were amazed at his recovery and his determination, to the point when he had a whole ward of liver patients rooting for him as he took his first steps. Stuart said: “He walked further and further, pushing himself to prove he could do it. It was amazing, emotional, overwhelming.”

Sam recalled: “I was not really aware how poorly I had been. Only when I had all cables and everything on me I realised I was quite ill. But day by day, more cables were removed until none were left and then I just had to concentrate on walking.”

Transferred to the high dependency ward his recovery hastened,and he was eventually discharged after more than a month in hospital.

Speaking at the family home, Sam said: “I am so glad to be out of hospital. I have had a lot of visitors and it has tired me but it is great to see them. I would love to thank everyone who supported my family. You have all been great.”

Sharon added: “People have been fantastic, and the strength we drew from the support of total strangers meant more than anyone will ever know in those long days.”

The family want to thank all those who have donated money to a collection, and also the Isle of Thanet Extra and kmfm radio for passing on their acknowledgement of support when they were at Sam’s bedside.

A big celebration party is planned by the Eastwells at Sam’s insistence to say a huge thank you to all those who have helped in the last month. He also plans a visit to the medical team and the police officers to thank them personally for their massive efforts.

From the brink of tragedy, life has turned around for the Eastwells and Sam may yet fulfil his dream of joining the police force.

*Two 16-year-old boys from Ramsgate have been remanded in custody charged with robbery and wounding with intent after the incident in the early hours of Thursday, August 7. They will appear at Margate Youth Court on September 17 for committal to a crown court hearing. Pleas can be entered at that point.