A TEENAGER who suffered brain damage in a horrific car crash has battled against adversity to gain the exam results he needs to follow his dream career.

Martinstown youngster Sam Herbert was left fighting for his life after the Mini he was driving was involved in a head on collision with a lorry at an accident blackspot in the village near Dorchester in September 2001.

Thomas Hardye School pupil Sam and his friend Tom Grindle were on their way to school in a Mini Traveller car when they rounded a blind bend in the village and collided with a lorry.

Sam spent two months in intensive care and a total of four months in Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester with a ruptured spleen, collapsed lung, broken legs and brain damage.

He had another six months at Poole Hospital where he received rehabilitation for brain damage. Passenger Tom suffered injuries, including broken limbs and internal injuries.

Sam underwent the rehabilitation before returning to study A Levels at Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester in art, photography and general studies.

And the 19-year-old's determination has been rewarded by him achieving the necessary grades to earn a place on a three-year interactive media degree at Bournemouth Arts Institute.

He said: "I'm really proud of what I've achieved and am happy for my family who have been so supportive that I've got what I needed. I received Ds in art and photography which is more than enough for me to get in at Bournemouth and get a bit closer to a career in the media.

"I could have done a bit better in general studies, in which I was given a U grade, but I'm not going to let that spoil things."

He said his mind was blank about what happened on the morning of the accident.

Sam said: "Even now I can't remember a single thing about the day, let alone the crash. It was a horrible time for my family and that's what hurts me, even now. I received so much support from everyone which really helped me when I was at my lowest.

"When I was eventually went back to Thomas Hardye I had to start the A Levels again but I had only lost about a month's work. The crash certainly changed my thinking - it made me realise everything happens for a reason."

Parents Graham and Elaine said: "It was touch and go for quite a while but Sam has done us both proud. He's a considerate and thoughtful person who really deserves his success. Even now, people still ask about how he is getting on, which is very much appreciated by us all."