A young graduate has returned from the brink seven months after being mysteriously left for dead on a country road.

Football fan Daniel May, 23, has emerged from a coma to relive the hazy moments before he was almost killed.

He sustained major head, chest and leg injuries at about 11.15pm on August 25, following a night with friends at the Crown pub in Burwash Road, Heathfield.

But the case remains a mystery and police can only suspect he was the victim of a hit-and-run on the A265 Burwash Road.

The ex-Heathfield Community College pupil remembers virtually nothing of what happened after he said farewell to his friends and left the pub alone.

Mr May, of South Road, Hailsham, said: "I remember we were all having a great time. I've never been a really big drinker and it wasn't an issue that night either.

"They were all going on to a club after the pub closed but I really wasn't in the mood.

"I said my goodbyes and, as I left, my sister rang me on my mobile.

"I was talking to her and the last I remember was that I walked down some steps. After that, I have absolutely no recollection."

Mr May's injuries were so severe he was transferred to the Hurstwood Park Neurological Centre in Haywards Heath, which specialises in serious head injuries.

He remained critically ill for weeks. His family and friends kept a bedside vigil.

His mother Lyn said: "The hospital kept saying to us he was a determined, strong man. Their support at the time really meant something to us."

After three weeks, Mr May awoke from the combination of coma and heavy sedation.

He said: "My leg was in plaster and I was concerned I had been paralysed.

"As soon as I felt my foot and tried to move it, I knew it was all right."

Following surgery to his brain, doctors were astounded when his expected six-month surgical recovery took just eight weeks.

He later convalesced at the Eastbourne District General Hospital and Southlands Rehabilitation Centre in Shoreham.

Such was his focus, he received a standing ovation when he picked up his 2:1 business management degree at Southampton Institute in his wheelchair last November.

His father Gary said: "It was a sight we never thought we would see following the accident. We were very proud of him. He clearly is a courageous young man."

A combination of speech therapy, physiotherapy, swimming and monitored exercise enabled Mr May to be discharged in a wheelchair from Southlands.

He said: "I was determined to walk again unaided and when I was discharged, I knew that it wouldn't be long before I'd be up and about."

On Christmas Eve, he managed to rise to his feet and walk into the Crown pub to the delight and surprise of his friends.

Since then, things have really looked up. He takes every day as it comes and is focused on being fully fit again.

He said: "The accident has made me think that you never know what's around the next corner.

"Looking back on the incident, I know a bad thing happened to me but I am thankful I am still here and that I am going to make a full recovery."

Mr May has also expressed deep thanks to the police officer who supported him and his family through his ordeal.

He shook the hand of PC Steve Norton last week just before he retired from the force.

He said: "As an officer of 30 years, I've seen some horrific injuries in my time.

"Dan's were clearly very, very bad and I don't think I or any of my colleagues expected him to make anything like a full recovery."

Meanwhile, despite an exhaustive police inquiry into the incident, officers concede they are baffled by what caused it.

Sergeant Paul Skinner, of the Polegate Road policing unit, said: "A number of lines of inquiry have been explored and have been fully exhausted, including the analysis of forensic evidence.

"It really is a total mystery. It is most likely that he collided with a moving vehicle."

Dan said: "It has been a long journey but finally my life is back on track thanks to the efforts of my friends, family and so many other unsung heroes.

"I owe them all a great debt of gratitude."

Anyone with any information should call police on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.