Family vigil as accident victim Ben, 24, lies in coman

Jun 13 2012 by Lorna Hughes, Heswall News

THE family of a 24-year-old Wirral man who was hit by a car said they are hopeful he will regain consciousness.

Ben Thexton remains critically ill in a coma after being knocked down in Birkenhead on Saturday.

He broke his jaw and has a bleed on the brain, so was put into a medically induced coma.

His family told the News doctors believed he would regain consciousness and were due to wake him as the paper went to press.

The former Pensby High pupil had just left William Hill bookmakers at 1.25pm and was crossing Laird Street when he was hit by the car.

He was taken by ambulance to the Walton Centre.

Ben’s parents Simon and Joanne, his sister Amy, 22, brother Tom, 21, and girlfriend Sian have remained by his bedside since the accident.

Tom, who lives in Oxton with his family, said: “Ben is on a life-support machine – the doctors had to put him into a medically induced coma.

“They tried to bring him round on Sunday but he could not breath properly on his own so he remains in a coma. We were told they will try and wake him up over the next few days.

“He suffered a broken jaw in the crash and he also had a bleed on his brain. Doctors had to drill through his skull to release the pressure.

“We are holding together as a family. My parents are very upset but we are all trying to keep strong for when he comes round.

“The doctors have said he should be OK. But we will not know the full extent of the damage until he wakes up.

“We are all just hoping he makes a quick and full recovery.

“He is a big football fan and supports Liverpool.

‘‘He was watching the European Championships the day of the accident and I am sure he just wants to get better and watch the games.”

The female Skoda driver, who avoided injury, stopped at the scene and has spoken to police officers as part of their investigation.

The road was closed for several hours while accident investigators visited the scene.

Merseyside police has launched an appeal for witnesses and anyone with information should call 0151 777 5404 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.