A popular mechanic who suffered critical injuries in a car crash is beginning to make a recovery in hospital.

Mick Hearn suffered a broken back, broken ribs and serious injuries to his heart and lungs in the accident outside his garage in Charles Street on April 19.

The 75-year-old Chapel Autos boss had been driving his prized 1961 Chevrolet Impala, but the cause of why he crashed remains unknown.

The accident prompted thoughts and prayers from family, friends and customers who know Mick as a hard-working mechanic who has been in Herne Bay for more than 50 years.

His son Spencer Hearn, 39, said Mick’s condition is gradually getting better.

He told the Gazette: “He came out of intensive care on Sunday and is now in the high trauma ward in hospital.

“Obviously he is doing as well as he can be in the situation. It’s going to be a long hard road to get back to normal and out of hospital. Only time will tell.

“He has had an operation on his heart and surgery to repair the damage to his arteries and lungs. Those are the concerns now. It will be a slow recuperation.

“The support and messages we’ve had as a family have been overwhelming.

“We’ve had lots of cards and my phone hasn’t stopped ringing. People say he is a true gentleman who goes out of his way to help other people.”

Spencer praised all the medical staff who have treated his father, including the paramedics, doctors at the William Harvey Hospital, and the trauma team at King’s College Hospital in London, where he is being treated.

He has set up a Facebook page looking for help to repair the rare Chevrolet, which has had its chassis bent out of alignment and sustained other damage.

He added: “The car was the thing he was keeping back for his retirement. We don’t know if he will ever be able to get back behind the wheel.

“But ensuring that he has something in the future is really important, so this is the thing I’d like to do to give something back to him.

“I’m hoping to speak to anyone locally to see if we can do some repairs. I’ve made the Facebook page to make sure people can contact me if they know how to find parts for it.”

To offer help with the Chevrolet, search for Save the 61 Chevy on Facebook.