Motorcycle racer wakes from coma after six weeks
Aaron Clifford was seriously injured in a crash at Snetterton Circuit. Picture: BSB/Dacid Yeomans - Credit: Double Red
A teenage motorcycle racer has woken from a coma six weeks after a horror crash at Snetterton Circuit.
An online campaign has raised money for Aaron Clifford's recovery and towards the East Anglia Air Ambulance. Picture: Gofundme - Credit: Gofundme
Aaron Clifford, 19, was taking part in the warm-up lap of the Nation STK600 race on Sunday, July 21 when he was involved in a crash with two other riders.
He was placed in a coma by the British Superbike (BSB) medical team before being airlifted to Addenbrooke's Hospital, in Cambridge, by the East Anglian Air Ambulance.
Surgery had been taking place to put plates in Mr Clifford's legs and arms but on Wednesday, July 24 he needed emergency surgery an was transported to the heart and lung specialist centre at Papworth Hospital, also in Cambridge.
In the past week the teen, from Duleek, Ireland, has had surgeries on his femur and both arms, which doctors have said went well.
His injuries included a serious head injury, both cheek bones broken, a collapsed left lung, broken sternum, multiple broken ribs, both wrists and right arm broken, shattered left femur, broken neck, and dislocated pelvis.
He has since been taken off sedation and is awake a small amount of the time but is unable to recognise his family.
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In a statement the family said: "Aaron has been doing reasonably well off ECMO [heart support machine] but is still in a critical condition. He still requires full support by the ventilator but has been requiring less oxygen.
"He is awake now a lot of the time but he doesn't recognise family members or know what's going on yet. He has had moments where he seems more alert but nothing definitive."
Despite Mr Clifford showing signs of recovery he is still on life support although it has been turned down to 28pc as his breathing has improved.
A Go Fund Me Page has been set-up to help with Mr Clifford's recovery. A target of £20,000 was set but this has been passed by more than £6,000.
The statement added: "The support for Aaron has been incredible and it blows us away everyday. Thank you all.
"All the nurses, doctors and staff in both Royal Papworth and Addenbrooke's Hospital have been incredible so far, we thank them all."
For more information or to donate go to www.gofundme.com/f/jza8t7-aarons-recovery-fund
