Horror as football fan left in coma after being hit by wayward shot in warm up just before kick-off
A FOOTBALL fan has spent more than three weeks in a coma after being hit by a wayward shot in a warm up.
Martyn Maidment, 59, collapsed when the ball struck him — and he then hit his head on the ground as he fell.
His beloved team Scunthorpe United’s game against Gloucester City was held up for 30 minutes as he was rushed to intensive care.
And the dad of three has not regained consciousness since the drama at the National League North match on April 20.
Martyn is being cared for at Southmead Hospital in Bristol.
Yesterday, his son Ben said a drain on his dad’s brain had been removed as “pressures stabilised.”
He said it was a small step in his dad’s recovery and thanked supporters for raising more than £6,000.
Ben, 27, had posed for a photo with delivery driver Martyn, of Skegness, Lincs, seconds before the accident.
He along with brothers Thomas, 29, and Ryan, 21, posted online: “This is the start of a very long and turbulent journey for our amazing Dad but we want to try to do all we can to support his recovery and to be with him every step of the way.
“He is the kindest, most generous person and hopefully we get some pieces of that wonderful man back.”
Scunthorpe’s players and management have chipped in to the fund, which will help support the family.
Martyn’s brother Paul, 62, told The Sun: “He has not regained consciousness.
“We just want him to come around so we can assess the damage.
“It could be life-changing.
“Doctors say his legs and arms are moving, his pupils dilated and he grumbles, which is a hopeful sign.
“But at the moment we are just in limbo.
“It is an absolutely freak accident.
“No one is to blame.
“He was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”