Determined dad Michael Hockley, whose two sons almost died in a road smash in America, is flying to Washington today to try to claim their compensation.

Two years ago, a civil court in Florida awarded the family about £100,000.

But the Hockleys said they have not yet received a penny.

Mr Hockley claimed they had been "mugged" by the American legal system.

Mr Hockley, 49, an air traffic controller, was today due to fly from Heathrow to Washington.

He said: "I am not prepared to wait any longer and I am prepared to stay out there for as long as it takes until we get our money. "We have been made an offer but it is chicken feed and I want to bring our case to the attention of the White House and the Senate, before travelling to Florida to make further representations."

The family, from Orpwood Way, Abingdon, were enjoying a trip to the west coast of Florida in 1989 when disaster struck.

A Ford Mustang, driven at 75mph in a 30mph zone by a state trooper, collided with the Hockleys' hire car.

Mr Hockley's sons Ashley, 11, and Alex, 14, lapsed into comas after the crash. Alex was thrown through the rear windscreen in his child seat. Ashley, who was 15 months old at the time, suffered brain damage. Mr Hockley's wife Sally, 44, suffered severe leg injuries and is still receiving treatment. Mr Hockley, who in the past, has threatened to burn the Stars and Stripes as a protest, added: "I am going over to the States and will make some sort of grand gesture to get noticed.

"I am determined to get a honourable response from the Americans in this case."

He is also planning to write to Oxford West and Abingdon MP Evan Harris about his case, which he claims has cost them £178,000 in legal fees alone.

Story date: Tuesday 02 November

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