A 23-year-old Leeds United fan, Ed O’Brien, is in a coma after falling from a tree while celebrating his team’s promotion to the Premier League on Monday. The incident occurred in Millennium Square, where over 150,000 fans gathered to celebrate Leeds’ dramatic Championship title win. The victory was secured by a stoppage-time goal from Tottenham loanee Manor Solomon against Plymouth.
O’Brien was quickly taken to Leeds General Infirmary and remains in critical condition. His mother, Stacey Barker, described the situation as heartbreaking, saying, “Ed is just a young man who made a mistake and he’s paying for it dearly.”
A JustGiving fundraiser set up by O’Brien’s friends has raised more than £10,000 to support his recovery. NBA star and Leeds investor Larry Nance Jr. donated £2,000, sharing a message of strength and love for the family. Barker reassured the public that her son was not intoxicated at the time of the fall, emphasizing that no substances were involved.
Despite having undergone surgery, concerns about potential brain damage remain. The family travels from York to Leeds daily, hoping for a positive outcome. However, Stacey Barker urged the public to be more considerate, stating that negative comments have only added to their grief.
