The teenager's distressed father Eric Davies, who spoke to the Leader yesterday, said after arriving at a ski resort on Saturday afternoon, his son was assaulted on the same night, along with his two brothers, by a crowd of between 20 and 25 youths.

All three were admitted to the local hospital, but one brother, aged 19, was airlifted to Salzburg with a brain haemorrhage and multiple facial injuries.

Mr Davies said his sons did not wish to be named at this stage, but he was willing to discuss their ordeal, waiting at home for news.

Mr Davies, from Buckley, said that British Embassy staff in Austria had been 'wonderful', with the Honorary Consul immediately visiting his son in hospital and keeping the family in touch with developments.

However, he was disappointed with the way the holiday operator Thomson dealt with the incident.

He said: "Thomson have shown little concern for my son.

"I'd have expected them to pull out all the stops, but they've made no attempt to contact us.

"It was only after I'd had a very heated conversation with one of their reps in the resort that they made any attempt to help with getting refunds on equipment and so on, to free up some much-needed funds to pay for transport to Salzburg for the two lads to go and visit their brother.

"Despite my pleading with them to help with transport to the hospital, they've left my badly beaten eldest son to hire a car and drive to Salzburg."

A spokeswoman for Thomson said that a representative had visited Mr Davies' son in hospital and that they had done everything they could do in the circumstances.

She said that travel and other expenses would have to be paid for by the insurance company.

The spokeswoman said: "We put the individuals in touch with the police and we helped them with giving statements.

"We have also spoken to the hospital to find out how he is – we have given them as much support as we can.

"The insurance company would have to pay for the cars.

"We are very sorry about what has happened especially because it was beyond our control."

Police in Austria said four people have been arrested in connection with the incident and officers are hoping to speak to 10 or more others in connection with it.