Daniel on the mend

A 23-YEAR-OLD from Heathfield is on the road to recovery after waking from a coma which lasted nearly four weeks.

Daniel May, of Longview, was found with severe head injuries on the A265 Burwash Road. He suffered his injuries while walking home after an evening spent with friends in the Crown Inn pub.

The Heathfield United footballer underwent a two-and-a-half-hour brain operation at Hurstwood Park Neurological Centre in Haywards Heath but remained in a coma for three-and-a-half weeks.

However, in a miraculous recovery, Daniel was able to talk to friends and family within two hours of regaining consciousness.

His father, Gary, said: 'We are all absolutely thrilled with the progress Daniel had made. When he was taken off the life support machine his doctors said it would be two days before he could speak again but he was managing to talk in just two hours.'

Friends from Heathfield and Southampton Daniel graduated with a 2:1 degree from Southampton Institute in the summer have been visiting regularly since the incident, which happened on August 25.

Gary said: 'He remembers all his mates by name but he doesn't remember the accident at all. And he doesn't remember the three-and-a-half weeks he spent over at Hurstwood Park.'

Daniel, who also suffered a broken leg in the incident, has been moved to Southlands Rehabilitation Centre, in Shoreham, West Sussex.

'He's doing very well,' said Gary. 'He's up and about on crutches and we're hoping the plaster will come off in a couple of weeks.

'We hope to have him home for Christmas. He was hoping to make it to his graduation ceremony next month but if he can't go his sister will go for him.'

Crimestoppers has put up a 500 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or people responsible for Daniel's injuries while his team-mates at Heathfield United have raised 2,000.

This money will be added to the 800 raised by his workmates at PJ Skips of Hailsham. Some of this money will be used as a reward while some will aid Daniel's rehabilitation.

Police are still unsure whether Daniel was the victim of a physical assault or a hit and run. Anybody with information on the incident should contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.