John Smeaton, the hero of the attack on Glasgow airport, remained in intensive care yesterday but his father said that he was showing signs of recovery.

The condition of the former airport baggage handler had deteriorated rapidly at the weekend, Iain Smeaton added.

John Smeaton, 32, was admitted to the Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley, last week after suffering an asthma attack. Doctors fought in the early hours of Sunday to save his life. His family were called to the hospital at 5am when it was feared that he might not pull through. Iain Smeaton told the Scottish Sun newspaper: “We were told to say our goodbyes.”

His son, who shot to fame after helping to foil the car-bomb attack last summer, responded to treatment and is now said to be improving.

Iain Smeaton said: “We've been told John is now making baby steps in the right direction. He's not out of the woods yet but any news is better than being told your son is dying.”

A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said Mr Smeaton was in a stable condition in intensive care. He was admitted to hospital last Thursday after reportedly collapsing as he watched television with his parents.

Mr Smeaton has regularly written about his poor health in a national newspaper column. A similar attack a decade ago almost killed him.

His fiancée, Christy MacPhedran, 32, has flown from New York to be at his bedside.

Gordon Brown called the Smeaton family yesterday to offer his support.

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