A crowdfunding page set up for an “inspirational” Colchester teenager put in an induced coma after a fatal crash has smashed its fundraising target.
Shane Scott, a 21-year-old former Colne Community College student from Colchester, died at the scene of the crash in Tenpenny Hill, Thorrington, on Tuesday afternoon.
• Tributes paid to Shane Scott, the Clacton Rugby Club member.
Five other people, including a boy aged 15, were taken to hospital following the crash, which happened at 2.15pm. Firefighters freed four people who were trapped.
Kyle was one of two men airlifted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, where he currently remains in a medically induced coma.
Anita Sparrow, 40, of Wivenhoe, whose family is very close to Kyle’s family, has described Kyle as “one of the nicest people you will ever meet”.
She is speaking to the media on behalf of Kyle’s family and is raising awareness of a crowdfunding page set up to support Kyle and his family and fund any specialist recovery equipment he may need. It has raised more than £2,200 since it was launched on Thursday night.
• See here to donate to the crowdfunding page.
Her nephew Jordan Warburton, 17, has been Kyle’s best friend since Broomgrove Junior School. They were due to meet up and head to Brightlingsea beach to celebrate Kyle finishing his A-level exams at Colchester Sixth Form College on the day of the incident.
Mrs Sparrow said: “We are practically part of the family. My sister and his mum have been friends for a long time, and my nephew is his best friend and has not left his bedside.
“Him and Jordan are the life and soul of the party, laughing and joking around with everyone. Kyle only turned 18 last week.
“He is a fit and healthy young man. He can fight this, I am sure. He is a good lad, such a good lad.
“He had just finished his A-levels and was getting a lift to Brightlingsea. He was going to meet up with Jordan and go to the beach. It’s just so unfortunate.”
She said Kyle’s family, including his two sisters and brother, have not left his side at hospital. He is expected to remain in the induced coma for two weeks.
But there was some good news regarding his condition on Friday night as Mrs Sparrow said his brain pressure had reduced. On Sunday afternoon, she said it had reduced slightly more.
She said: “We are certainly not out of the woods, but we are all so relieved. That’s one good bit of news.
“We don’t know about the long-term impact until they bring him around. We don’t know if he has suffered any brain damage.”
She said she has been “amazed” at the response to the crowdfunding page. She said: “If he comes out of this, he might need specialist equipment to help with his rehabilitation. We want the best he can get immediately. We are hoping and praying he comes out of it just fine.”
Mrs Sprarrow’s 15-year-old daughter, Sophie, added: “Kyle is one of the most amazing and inspirational people you will ever meet. He would never do anything to hurt anyone.
“I’m appealing for people to donate because it is going to an amazing cause. He is an amazing young man getting back on the road to recovery.”
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