A manager of a local football team in the UK woke up from an induced coma recently just after hearing that his team had won the first game of the new season.
33-year old Wayne Thorne, manager of Larkhall Athletic FC in Bath, was involved in a horrendous head on collision while on his way home from his day job as a kitchen fitter two weeks ago, sustaining quite horrific injuries in the accident including a ruptured artery in his heart, a punctured lung, 16 crushed ribs, a broken sternum and a shattered hip.
According to the Bath Chronicle, Thorne underwent several operations and spent a week in an induced coma, during which, at the encouragement of hospital staff, his wife and family – including a brother Gary, who spent two years with Bath City between 2001 and 2003 – remained in constant contact with him.
When Gary popped in on the Saturday to tell him about Larkhall’s first game of the season, a 4-3 win away to Bridport, Wayne promptly opened his eyes.
Wayne’s wife Mandy is quoted in the Bath Chronicle as saying: “Football and sport and being active, that has been his life, so when he was in his coma we were told to talk to him.
“On the first Saturday Larkhall had a game and me and his brother told him the score and he opened his eyes.
“I know studies have shown that they can hear you and me and his brother truly believe he heard us. It was brilliant to see, because he absolutely loves his football and is so dedicated to Larkhall Athletic.”
Wayne is currently suffering with a chest infection and because his rib cage is wired together he has to remain in bed for the next six weeks, but it is hoped that he will soon be able to be transferred to a hospital in Swindon, where he and Mandy live.
You often hear talk of miracles in football but this truly belongs in that category; we wish Gary all the best in his recovery.
