A toddler was left fighting for his life after a freak accident in which he suffered horrific injuries while on holiday with his family in Turkey.

Three-year-old Stanley Burch, from Rainham, suffered a fractured skull and bleeding to the brain after a heavy music speaker crashed down on him as he lay on a sun-lounger at their luxury resort.

He was admitted to intensive care at a hospital in nearby Bodrum where his parents, Amy Belcher and Mitchell Burch, kept a bedside vigil.

Stanley underwent an emergency operation and had to remain in Turkey for 10 days before being allowed to fly home with his parents and older sister Rosie.

They arrived back at the family home in Sinclair Close, Parkwood, on Monday - still recovering from their harrowing ordeal.

The couple, in their 20s, and their children had been on a package holiday to Turgutreis, on the popular Bodrum Peninsula, when tragedy struck on Thursday, June 12.

It is believed the speaker had been attached to a tripod when it fell from a balcony about 30ft above.

Mr Burch said: "This was a very frightening experience, but myself and Amy are glad that our son is out of any immediate danger and we are all back home.

"I am grateful for the support of all our friends, family and colleagues who rallied round to provide assistance.

"Stanley has been amazing throughout this and he is a true fighter..." - father Mitchell Burch

"Now that we are home, we wish to concentrate on Stanley and to ensure he recovers fully from his injuries.

"Stanley has been amazing throughout this and he is a true fighter."

The family's solicitor Mark Gore, who specialises in brain injury cases, said it was too early to say whether Stanley may have suffered permanent damage.

Mr Gore, an associate at Maidstone practice Brachers, said: "The full circumstances are being investigated.

"This was a nasty accident in which a young child has sustained a head injury and I shall be assisting the family with Stanley's recovery."

It is believed Stanley is due to start Park Wood Infant School where his older sister is a pupil.

Neighbour Annette Chance described them as a lovely family and ideal neighbours.

Mrs Chance, who has recently had a knee operation, said Stanley is friendly little boy.

She added: "He's always chatting over the fence to my husband asking where the funny lady with the stick is."

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