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

In an exclusive interview the Kent Messenger Group's reporter Pete Barnett, the day after Sam returned to his Ramsgate home, the 17-year-old 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.

His mother Sharon said: "Then he leaned back and grinned from ear to ear at us. He gave us a real shock."

Watch Sam and his family speak of his recovery on the video to the right.

Speaking in a whisper, due to a damaged throat, Sam said: "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 life-saving treatment for the injuries sustained in a night-time street attack in Ramsgate early on August 7.

Sam said: "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.

He 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."

For more on this story visit www.thanetextra.co.uk

*• 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.