JOHN TRAVOLTA has spoken of his battle to save his son for the first time.

The actor was giving evidence in the trial of a paramedic and a senator who are accused of trying to extort money out of the actor following the death of his son JETT.

The actor spoke quietly as he recalled the awful moments he desperately tried to save his son.

Travolta, who is a Scientologist, also admitted for the first time that Jett suffered from autism - a condition not recognised by the cult-like religion.

He was asked to relive the moments leading up to the 16-year-old's death in January this year.

He told the court: 'I was sleeping in the condo with my wife.

"My son was in the room below and my daughter was next door. I was awakened by Eli, my son's nanny, pounding on the door saying Jett was unconscious.

"I ran at the door, I ran downstairs to help my son with my wife. I saw him on the bathroom floor.

"His other nanny, Jeff Kathrein, and an employee, a woman, was doing CPR on him. I took the place of the woman. Jeff was doing compressions and I was doing breathing. I asked if an ambulance had been called and I was told "yes".'

The 55-year-old actor was then asked whether his son had suffered with any medical problems, to which he replied:

"Yes, my son was autistic and suffered from seizure disorder.

"Every five to ten days he would suffer a seizure lasting 45 seconds to a minute and then sleep for about 12 hours.

"We continued the CPR  -  at this point it was Jeff Kathrein, myself, and my wife was holding my son's head.

"At this point a friend of mine that was part of the group had arrived at the hotel and one particular gentleman I wanted there because of his medical expertise."

He identified that man as Jared McGrath.

"He took over the spot that Jeff Kathrein was on with the compressions on Jett and I continued the breathing. The hotel medics, first alert type people, came shortly after."

Travolta personally filed the extortion case with Bahamian police after paramedic Tarino Lightbourne and ex-Senator Pleasant Bridgewater allegedly demanded money from him over a document he allegedly signed which said he refused help for Jett.

 

The case continues...