Tunisia balcony-fall dad Karl Nethercot, from Leicester, is back in country

A father-of-six seriously injured in a fall from a balcony while in Tunisia is now back in England, where he is continuing his recovery in hospital.

Karl Nethercot returned to the UK on Friday night, and was taken to Queen's Medical Centre, in Nottingham.

Friends and family have been raising money to help cover the cost of the 33-year-old's medical bills, and on Saturday, friends in Leicester held a football match to boost the total.

The accident happened on October 2, in the Tunisian resort of Port El Kantaoui.

Because Karl had been drinking, his insurance company refused to pay his medical bills.

There had been worries Karl would also have to pay £22,000 for an air ambulance home, but he was well enough to board a scheduled flight home to Gatwick with his partner, Emma Huszarik.

Stewart Smith, of Newfoundpool, Leicester, partner of Karl's sister, Mandi, played in the match on Saturday.

He said: "They're keeping him at Queen's Medical Centre for a couple of days and then he'll go straight to a rehabilitation centre.

"He's still got a badly-bruised brain and is pretty confused.

"It could be 12 months before he's back to normal."

The football match was held at Fullhurst Community College, in Braunstone, and was arranged by friends of the family at the Breeze Bar, in Narborough Road, West End, Leicester.

Stewart said: "We're really grateful for everyone who's come along. They paid £10 to play and it'll be a big help."

The two teams were selected at random from family friends.

Others who attended to watch the match made donations.

The match ended in a 7-7 draw and raised about £250, which will be added to the £3,500 raised for the family so far.

The family have spent at least £8,000 on medical bills and other related costs as a result of Karl's accident, most of it loans they need to repay.

Spectator Richard Orme, 59, of West End, Leicester, said: "I've known Karl's parents for years. I've never known them to be more upset than after what happened to Karl.

"We're all glad he's back."

Angela Gimson, 57, of New Parks, Leicester, said: "We were all devastated by what happened.

"I'm disgusted the insurance company won't pay out. If you can't have a drink while on holiday without invalidating your insurance what's the point in having insurance?"

Among those in the crowd were Karl's aunts, Eunice Wright and Pearl Godfree.

Eunice, 55, of Braunstone Town, raised nearly £200 towards Karl's hospital bills and on Saturday was selling cakes.

Pearl, 61, of Braunstone, said: "We're just happy Karl's back."

Karl's parents, John and Dawn, who live in Leicester's West End, went to Tunisia after his accident and were due to get their flight home last night.

Karl's travel insurance, with Homecare, was provided free when his partner, Emma, took out an account with Santander.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation can do so to account 35349490, sort code 09-01-28, at Santander, in Narborough Road, Leicester.