Leeds United’s promotion parade celebrations have been marred after one supporter fell from a tree and is now in a coma having suffered life-threatening injuries on Monday
A Leeds United fan suffered life-threatening injuries and is now in a coma following the club’s Championship title celebrations. Ed O’Brien fell out of a tree as he watched the side’s promotion parade on Monday.
The 23-year-old was taken to Leeds General Infirmary for treatment and his mother, Stacey Barker, has confirmed her son has undergone an operation. The full extent of his injuries remain unclear, however.
A fundraiser has already been set up for Ed and has collected a figure of over £10,000. NBA star and Leeds United investor Larry Nance has donated £2,000.
“For those who have simply messaged to say they’re thinking of him, that they are praying for him, thank you,” Ed’s mother said. “He needs all the prayers and luck in the world right now, we all do.
“I’m hoping he shows the same resilience, the same strength, the same character we’ve all come to know and love him for in the coming days/weeks and months ahead.”
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Ed’s family, who live in York, are currently travelling to and from the hospital four times a day to spend time as much time with their son as possible. “We’re holding onto every hope that our son and brother comes out of this as unscathed as possible, given his injuries,” his mother told BBC.
“As yet, there is little improvement in his condition. He remains in a coma, but the fantastic team looking after him are confident he is showing some positive signs.”
“Ed and his siblings are incredibly close and they’re feeling his absence acutely, as are his dad and I,” she added.
Ms Barker said social media posts had been ‘extremely distressing’ in the aftermath of the tragic incident. A great deal of speculation and mistruths have had an impact on the family.
“We wanted to minimise the countless untruths which are currently circulating around Ed’s condition and also to urge people to consider what they are writing on social media for Ed’s loved ones to see,” she said.
“We are going through one of the worst things a parent can go through and some of the unwarranted comments are further compounding our heartache as a family. Ed is just a young man who made a mistake and he’s paying for it dearly.”
Ms Barker refuted some of the suggestions made. “As far as I am aware, he had consumed alcohol but I am confident he wasn’t paralytic as some posts are suggesting,” she said.
“I am also as confident as a mother can be that no other substance was involved.”
