THE PARENTS of a teenager critically injured in a car crash which killed his friend last night hailed his recovery a miracle.

Joe Robinson, 18, of Chinnor, has been moved from intensive care after the Toyota Yaris he was in crashed on the A34 Oxford bypass in the early hours of April 7.

The crash killed Grace Hadman, 17, who was a student at St Edward’s School in Woodstock Road, North Oxford, and injured Joe and two other pupils.

Last night, Joe’s parents Kevin and Judi said he was no longer in a coma and was out of intensive care at the John Radcliffe Hospital .

The gap year student, who plays rugby for Chinnor RFC and cricket for Thame Town, now faces a prolonged period of rehabilitation for serious multiple injuries suffered in the crash.

Mr Robinson said: “Joe is making astounding progress – his survival has been nothing short of miraculous.

“He has battled very hard to reach this stage given the seriousness and extent of his injuries.

“He now embarks on the road to recovery.

“While the rehabilitation programme involved is going to be long and arduous, he has been incredibly resilient and has met the challenges so far – so we are confident he will do so again over the coming months.”

Although the teenager has made progress, it may be weeks before he can return home. He is a former member of rugby side London Wasps’ player development centre and planned to study for a degree at Exeter University in September after his gap year.

The former St Edward’s School pupil – known to friends as ‘Robbo’ or ‘Bod’ – was one of four people travelling in the car when it crashed on the southbound carriageway between the Pear Tree and Botley interchanges on the A34.

About 500 people, including a bus load of friends from Oxford, attended Ms Hadman’s funeral in Gloucestershire last month.

The other St Edward’s pupils involved in the crash, a 18-year-old boy from Boars Hill near Oxford, and a 17-year-old girl from Buckinghamshire, who was driving, were also injured.

The girl was later arrested and bailed on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

So far, no witnesses have contacted police. Anyone with information should call officers on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.