A Leeds United supporter is in a critical condition in a coma after falling from a free during the club’s promotion parade in the city.
Ed O’Brien suffered life-threatening injuries during the celebrations in Millennium Square on Monday and was taken to Leeds General Infirmary for treatment.
His mum, Stacey Barker, has confirmed her son has undergone an operation but says the damage to the brain is still unclear.
‘For those who have simply messaged to say they’re thinking of him, that they are praying for him, thank you,’ she 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.’
Ms Barker added to the BBC: ‘Ed and his siblings are incredibly close and they’re feeling his absence acutely, as are his dad and I.’
Over £10,000 has been raised for Mr O’Brien, who celebrated his 23rd birthday last week, with NBA star Larry Nance donating £2,000.
Leeds United secured promotion back to the Premier League with a 6-0 thrashing over Stoke City on April 21.
Daniel Farke’s side ensured their status as champions on the final day, winning the Championship with 100 points from 46 games.
Fans came together in the city on Monday to celebrate the team’s achievement, with thousands paying tribute to the side.
Ms Barker responded to social media speculation about her son’s condition before the fall.
‘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.
‘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.
‘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 believes her son ‘climbed a tree’ after ‘having a few bottles’ and said he was ‘high on nothing but life’ before the ‘freak accident’.
‘Any recovery at all from this incident is likely to be a slow and lengthy process and is unlikely to be without implications,’ she added.
‘We’re holding onto every hope that our son and brother comes out of this as unscathed as possible, given his injuries.
‘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.’
Leeds will play in the Premier League next season after a two-year absence.
The Elland Road club reached the Championship play-off final 12 months ago but suffered a shock defeat to Southampton.
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