Update on Leeds United fan who fell from tree during parade

Stacey Barker issued the statement after her eldest son, Edward, fell from a tree he climbed during the club's promotion parade on Bank Holiday Monday.

The football fan has been left with serious injuries and he is in a coma. 

The post has led to an outpouring of support and received more than 1,500 likes and reactions and 452 shares.

Posting on social media, the mum said: "I didn’t want to put this on here, and I certainly didn’t want to put this out so soon, but the sheer amount of people that have messaged me I simply don’t have the time to reply to. There are also posts on social media that I have been made aware of - some positive, some not so much - and I feel, while my son is unable to defend himself, it’s my duty as his mother to do it for him.

Fans attend Leeds United's victory parade - this photo shows the scenes outside the Queen's Hotel in Leeds city centre on Bank Holiday Monday (Image: UGC) "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. His prognosis is still unclear but, what is certain is that, any recovery at all from this incident is likely to be a slow and lengthy process and is unlikely to be without implications.

"What these implications will be, nobody knows right now."

She 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 firsthand. 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."