By Deborah Nnamdi
A Leeds United fan is in critical condition after falling from a tree during the club’s Premier League promotion celebrations on Monday.
Ed O’Brien, 23, is reported to have fallen while celebrating in Millennium Square, where more than 150,000 supporters had gathered to mark Leeds’ dramatic Championship title win—clinched thanks to a stoppage-time goal by Tottenham loanee Manor Solomon against Plymouth.
O’Brien was taken to Leeds General Infirmary and is currently in a coma.
His mother, Stacey Barker, said, “Ed is just a young man who made a mistake and he’s paying for it dearly.”
A JustGiving fundraiser launched by friends has raised over £10,000, with NBA star and Leeds investor Larry Nance Jr donating £2,000, writing: “Thinking of you. Strength and love!”
Barker emphasized that her son was not severely intoxicated, stating, “I’m confident he wasn’t paralytic… and no other substances were involved.” She continued, “Ed is extremely close to his siblings… we’re holding onto every bit of hope.”
O’Brien, who recently turned 23, has undergone surgery, but there are still serious concerns about possible brain damage.
The family makes the daily journey from York to Leeds. “Some of the unnecessary comments are adding to our pain. We ask people to think carefully about what they post,” Barker urged.
