Leeds fan speaks for first time while recovering from being in a coma after incident at parade

Leeds fan Ed O’Brien speaks for first time while recovering from being in a coma after an incident at his club’s promotion parade.

Thousands of pounds was raised for the Leeds United fan who at the time was ‘fighting for his life’ after the incident at the promotion parade.

Over £14,000 and rising was donated for the 23 year old who fell from a tree in Millennium Square during the celebrations and has suffered life threatening injuries.

Ed O’Brien fell several metres onto paving after a tree branch he was standing on snapped, and was taken to Leeds General Infirmary.

He said via Twitter: “As many of you will know, I am indeed the lad who fell from the tree at the parade. Just want to thank everyone who has wished me well, I truly am overwhelmed. As for an update, I still have a way to go but I’m doing very well, everything is on the right path. We are Leeds!

“This goes to fellow Leeds fans as well as the wider football world – I have read so many lovely things from everywhere.

“A few other comments as well – they’re fair enough, I can promise I won’t be climbing any trees anytime soon. I was drunk and happy, made a daft decision!

“You don’t get many characters these days but I also want to say – LGI, St Jimmy’s hospitals – the staff have been superb. They have saved my life and I’ll never stop being grateful. Boy do they put in some hard work.”

His Father, Carl O’Brien @Carl0brien, replied: “True Irish fighting spirit 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪 love ya xx”

This goes to fellow Leeds fans as well as the wider football world – I have read so many lovely things from everywhere.

A few other comments as well – they’re fair enough, I can promise I won’t be climbing any trees anytime soon. I was drunk and happy, made a daft decision!

— N11 Ed (@_ed19) May 28, 2025

Love you too father xx

— N11 Ed (@_ed19) May 28, 2025

My climbing days are over mate. 😂

— N11 Ed (@_ed19) May 28, 2025

In a statement, his mother Stacey Barker said: “That evening we were given the worse news a parent could ever hear, the news that there was a possibility that we’d never take our son home.

“Since then, Edward’s dad and I have spent every day at his bedside as the amazing team at the LGI have worked what I can only describe as ‘a miracle’, and yesterday the development we have hoped and prayed for for 6 long and agonising days materialised and he woke for the first time.”

Thousands raised for Leeds United fan ‘fighting for his life’ after incident at promotion parade

Stacey Barker said: “Now that we have let our family and closest friends know, we are in a position to issue an update to the wider community as well as the vast football family our boy is part of. As many of you will know, last Monday our son, Edward, suffered serious life threatening injuries as a result of a fall in Millennium Square during the Leeds United winners parade. That evening we were given the worst news a parent could ever hear, the news that there was a possibility that we’d never take our son home.

“Since then, Edward’s dad and I have spent every day at his bedside as the amazing team at the LGI have worked what I can only describe as ‘a miracle’, and yesterday the development we have hoped and prayed for, for six long and agonising days materialised and he woke for the first time. It is clear he has a long way to go just now but, for the first time since the initial prognosis was delivered, we feel more than confident that Edward stands a fantastic chance of a very good recovery. It is more than any of us ever dared to hope only eight days ago. The relief we feel is simply indescribable, we couldn’t be any happier right now.”

“Ed’s dad [Carl O’Brien], his siblings and I can’t thank everyone enough for their relentless and unwavering support during what has been the worst week of our lives.

“The messages of love and well wishes alongside the prayers for our son’s recovery have been overwhelmingly heartening. As his mum, I can’t pretend I’ve ever understood his inherited obsession with football, but the response we have received from the Leeds United family has been nothing short of phenomenal. As his parents, we have felt wholeheartedly supported by his extended football family and I’m more than sure, in the coming weeks, Edward himself will appreciate the outpouring of love and concern for his well being from his Leeds kin. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

“We’d also like to extend a special thank you to his friend, Harvey Rushton who, of his own accord, had the foresight to recognise the financial toll such a life changing accident may have in the long term and took the initiative to raise funds for us, as a family. His resourcefulness coupled with the generosity of everyone who kindly donated will, without a doubt, give Edward the very best chance possible as we navigate our changed reality. We appreciate all your efforts Harvey, Ed is lucky to have a friend in you.”

She also thanked the medical staff who had cared for Ed, saying: “Our biggest thanks, undoubtedly, has to go to the health professionals who have saved our son’s life.

“From the paramedics who reached and treated him in a timely manner against a logistical nightmare, to the fantastic team within resus who stabilised him, to the incredible neuro/orthopaedic surgeons whose expertise has given him the best chance possible and the incredible nurses and doctors who have got him to this point, and continue to work round the clock to ensure the best outcome for him.

“In a thousand lifetimes we could never convey our gratitude to you all in supporting us in getting to this point, nor repay the debt we, as a family, owe the LGI.

“We are still uncertain what the future holds for Edward but, as a family, we are more than confident with the love of the majority and the expertise of the remarkable professionals looking after him, he will continue to amaze us all for many months to come.”

Twitter users reacted after Leeds fan Ed speaks for first time while recovering from being in a coma after the incident at his club’s title parade…

@El_Loco_Jo: Fantastic news! It’s wonderful to see you smiling. Take care, and here’s to a full and speedy recovery! 🤞🙏❤️‍🩹

@uki2484: Well done Mate, from Oz. Hope we have an opening fixture at home. Don’t care who we play but hope your there and we win “Tree” Nil. Get well soon Ed #ALAW #MOT

@PeteBridges7: So glad you’re Ok mate! Was on top of a Bus shelter in ’92… could have ended so different! 🙏🙈.. Things we do in the moment eh? Get well soon ALAW

@LUFC_An0: Speedy recovery mate and keep dem feets firmly on the ground bud. Great news.

@AndyWade72: All the best pal and fingers crossed for a speedy recovery. MOT.

@jimmymccarthy1: Great reading this and you’re doing good. Big up to Jimmy’s and the LGI (amazing hospitals and people). All the best pal 💪 #MOT

@TBradley23: Great to see you making a recovery, Ed. MOT

@Margare84045571: So pleased to see this Ed. Take good care of yourself 💛🤍💙

@Harrington_M_J: Glad you’re on the mend pal

@lms97u: Glad you are on the mend, MOT 💙

@DavidLofthouse: Great that you ared doing so well, no more climbing trees!! 😄😄

@JimmyAllen13: Something to tell the grandkids in the future. When I was a lad………….. I fell from a tree.

@retro_leeds: As someone who has also fallen out of a tree I can relate 😂 Get well soon! MOT!

@MultiJono88: Glad you’re on the mend Ed. Hope to see you back in the Kop soon enough 🤞🏻🙏🏻

@catbm74: Love how the casts are blue and yellow. Speedy recovery. 💙

@TomTheProducer1: Very glad you’re on road to recovery, get well for the PL debut! 🙌 #MOT #ALAW

@deanirwin81: Great news. Glad to see this. Hope and pray for a complete recovery and back to full health and strength. MOT.

@JH7_2025: So glad you will be ok. Great news. I had been checking back on the Go Fund Me to see if there were any updates and I remember reading about your parents having to travel from Harrogate (I think) to visit you. Onwards and upwards, Premier League Here You Come! 🧐👍🏼😃

@sycliks: Fast recovery mate. All the best. MOT

@LukeyBLeeds: Great to see you on the mend fella 👏🙌 ALAW

@JasonFeeney5: Chin up and keep battling. Delighted you are on the road to recovery #mot