Dad left fighting for his life hours after his Grand National stag do
A dad who celebrated his stag do at the Grand National is now fighting for his life after being punched outside a bar.
Lee Burns, 41, had enjoyed his day out at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday (April 15) before his life was changed forever when he returned to Poulton in Lancashire to continue the celebrations.
The dad-of-three was knocked unconscious and suffered a serious head injury after being attacked outside a bar in the early hours of the following day. Lee, from Blackpool, is now in an induced coma at Royal Preston Hospital after undergoing emergency surgery, reports the Liverpool Echo.[1]
The three-hour surgery took place in order to try and stop two bleeds on his brain as well as easing the pressure from the swelling, according to his friend Paul Latham.
Paul has now set up a GoFundMe campaign to support both Lee, who is a HGV driver and will not be able to work again due to his injuries, and his family. The fundraising page reads: “So many people have contacted me in the last 24 hours, asking me to do this as they want to make a donation to help support Lee and his family, following the brutal attack on Lee in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Lee Burns remains in a coma in hospital (Image: Paul Latham / Facebook)
“Lee was returning home from his own stag do at Aintree Racecourse. Lee is now fighting for his life in Royal Preston Hospital, following a completely unprovoked attack in Poulton Le Fylde. Lee is now in a coma.
“If you would like to make a donation, please do so as Lee will never be able to return to his job again following his life saving brain surgery. Lee and Sara’s life has been changed forever as a result of this attack. Thank you in advance on behalf of Lee, Sara and his family. X”
It is understood that Lee was due to get married in four weeks, but the wedding has now been postponed. His fiancé Sara and their family have been at Lee’s bedside as he remains in a coma.
In a public Facebook post, Paul said: “Everybody who knows Lee, knows he has the biggest smile in Blackpool. He’s always happy, always laughing always making new friends. Long may that continue but it will be some time before he is able to display his trademark smile on the Fylde Coast.”
A 33-year-old man from Blackpool has been arrested on suspicion of wounding in connection to the incident. He has been bailed, pending further inquiries, until July 13.
Detective Chief Inspector Lee Wilson, of Lancashire Police’s West Division, said: “The victim was on a night out when he was seriously assaulted. He remains in hospital in a serious condition and we are doing our utmost to get answers as to what happened and who was responsible. One person has now been arrested and released on bail, while we continue to investigate the incident.
“We are still urging witnesses to come forward and would like to speak to anyone who saw what happened, or caught it on mobile phone footage. If you were in that area of Poulton between around 12.30am and 2am on Sunday morning, please cast your mind back and please check any photos or videos you took on your phone.
“Similarly, if you have information about what happened or who is responsible, please let us know.” Anybody with information should contact Lancashire Police, quoting log 124 of April 16.
To donate to the GoFundMe, click here[3].
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References
- ^ reports the Liverpool Echo. (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ ‘Brilliant’ dad-of-seven wasn’t told he had illness that was killing him (www.cheshire-live.co.uk)
- ^ click here (www.gofundme.com)
- ^ Sign up for CheshireLive email direct to your inbox here (www.cheshire-live.co.uk)