by Katie Lamborn

The family of a former Dartford Grammar School pupil who fell from a balcony on his gap year - have had their £70,000 medical bill paid by their son's university.

Philip Pain, from Bexleyheath, was in Mexico when the incident happened on New Year's Eve.

His parents Sally and Neil were due to sell their house to pay for the medical bills and the cost of their son's flight home.

"It was a complete breakthrough," says Philip's mother Sally.

"When Southampton University stepped in instructing their insurers to cover the cost I couldn't believe it.

"I felt awful telling the people who'd made the offer on our house but once they'd found out the circumstances behind our decision they were incredibly understanding."

Philip's family say he took his travel insurance out with AXA but that the company hasn't come forward with anything yet.

When the student was in coma at Mazatlan Hospital after the incident a campaign was set up - spearheaded by brother and sister - for his rare type-O negative blood.

The facebook campaign by Lawrence and Stephanie saved their brother's life - donors came forward on both sides of the Atlantic.

The 20 year-old is recovering in Kings College Hospital after an operation to put a foot-long nail into his right lower leg.

Sally hopes this will be his last major operation.

"Despite potentially facing life in a wheelchair he's really really positive," said Sally.

"The next step for Philip is intense physiotherapy. He was told by one of the nurses it would be tough, like a full-time job.

"He turned around and said to me 'Good. Bring it on."