A Shropshire firefighter started breathing on his own for the first time since he was left fighting for his life after being mowed down by a car, his girlfriend revealed today.

Lee Pearsall was left critically injured after a car ploughed into him and his three friends as they walked along Broseley High Street.

The 23-year-old part-time firefighter at Tweedale remains critically ill in North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary in Stoke-on-Trent where his family have been holding a bedside vigil.

His “hero” Simon Jordan, also a part-time firefighter, who crawled along the road to give life-saving treatment, has also visited his bedside.

Nikki Harvey, 19, who lives with Mr Pearsall at Spring Meadow, Sutton Hill, Telford, said: “Lee’s still critical at the moment.

“The doctors did reduce his medication and sedation to try and bring him around but the tube in his throat to help him breathe made him choke.

“They’ve now fitted a tracheotomy so he’s got the machine breathing for him again now.

“He’s been on a ventilator since it happened then he started breathing. Hopefully he will be breathing for himself again very soon.”

l Roy Warren Dietrich, 40, of no fixed abode, is charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Lee Pearsall and also charged with assaulting Steve Perks, Simon Jordan and Jamie Wilmore, causing them actual bodily harm. He is also accused of driving dangerously and with excess alcohol. He is to appear at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Monday.