The mum of a Leeds United fan who fell from a tree during the city centre promotion celebrations has issued an update on his extensive injuries.
Stacey Barker has posted on social media after her eldest son Edward fell from a tree during the promotion parade. Several photos showed Leeds fans climbing trees along the route to get a better view of Daniel Farke and the team as they passed through the city on an open-top bus.
But Stacey’s son – who climbed a tree in Millennium Square – fell down, with photos showing an ambulance desperately trying to slowly navigate the sea of supporters to reach the stricken fan. West Yorkshire Police confirmed the fan as taken to hospital and now his mum has issued a statement on Facebook confirming he is in a coma.
Stacey wrote a post which has had over 350 comments and 1k likes and hugs giving an update. She said: “Some of you may already know that my oldest son was injured in the Leeds United victory parade on Bank Holiday Monday. For those that don’t, this is to clear some things up.
“I have tried to keep this within the family, as this is obviously extremely distressing for all of us, and I’ve tried to control who knows what out of respect for my son and also my other 3 children. However, it’s becoming increasingly obvious that this isn’t going to be something we can keep quiet for long at all and I don’t want any further untruths circulated regarding my son.
“At some point during the winners parade yesterday, for reasons only Edward knows of, he decided to climb a tree lining the procession in Leeds city centre. As far as I am aware, he had consumed alcohol but I am confident he wasn’t paralytic as some posts are suggesting. I am also as confident as a mother can be that no other substance was involved. Edward enjoys a drink but I have NEVER had any reason to suspect ANY drug use where he was concerned. Ever.
“At some point during the victory celebrations, my son has fallen from this tree, where he was sat at a significant height hitting the concrete below him and, as a result, he has sustained serious, life threatening injuries. He was taken to LGI immediately, in a critical condition, where we joined him around 50 minutes later. His injuries are extensive and, over 24 hours later, he remains in a coma.”
She said his prognosis remains unclear and that his recovery will be slow and lengthy.
His mum added: “To further clarify, he has done nothing any other young lad hasn’t in their lifetime. He climbed a tree, he’d had a few bottles, he was high on nothing but life and he’s been incredibly unlucky. Unfortunately, it was a freak accident that is likely to affect him, and all of us, whatever the outcome, for many years to come.
“I appreciate people are worried about him and are clutching at any information they may have heard but, as it stands, this is the situation first hand. I can’t reply to messages individually, my priorities right now are my Son and my other children. For those who have simply messaged to say they’re thinking of him, that they are praying for him, thank you. 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.”
