THE BROTHER of a promising rugby league player seriously injured in a road accident has spoken of his miraculous recovery, and thanked the rugby league community for its overwhelming support.

Reagan Tolson, 15, was hit by a car while on his way home from Birstall retail park on Friday evening.

The Drighlington and Bradford Bulls scholarship stand-off was left with multiple serious injuries, and spent more than ten hours in theatre at Leeds General Infirmary.

He suffered a broken ankle, hand, elbow, shoulder and collarbone, severe lacerations to his chest, a badly bruised lung, a lacerated spleen, while his pelvis snapped in half causing internal bleeding.

Now, his brother Callum Tolson has expressed gratitude to the “rugby league family” for its support. He said: “It has been unbelievable, I didn’t expect it to go viral and as wide as it has. But at the same time I’m not surprised because the sport is so powerful. Supporters from all different clubs have sent their support, that’s why its called a family.”

England captain and former Bulls star Sam Burgess has been in touch, and Mr Tolson said his message will mean a lot to his brother once he recovers.

Despite the seriousness of his injuries, doctors expect Reagan to make a full recovery and to be able to return to rugby, which his brother said is an “absolute miracle”.

“He’s got a promising career ahead of him, and this hasn’t changed. His recovery will be slow but we are expecting Reagan to be back playing for Drighlington at some point in 2017.

“The car was an absolute write off, the bumper was dented and the windscreen was smashed, the mechanics asked where the other car was when they picked it up, they were surprised when they found out it was a 15-year-old boy. The doctors have told us it is his fitness levels and strength that pulled him through, and they cannot believe how well his is progressing.”