Teenage cyclist in fight for life

A TEENAGER from Wargrave is fighting for his life after he was critically injured in a cycling accident in France.

Ayaan Butt, 14, of Mumbery Hill, was in Lyon in the southeast of France with his cousins when the incident took place on Monday last week.

The Piggott School pupil had been visiting family who live in the region and decided to go on a ride in the countryside. After he had cycled down a hill, it is believed that he collided with a vehicle.

Ayaan is now in a coma having suffered a bleed on the brain, fractures to his skull and a broken collarbone, arm and leg. Surgeons have operated on him, putting in a metal disc and screws in his left leg and repaired a bone above his right eye.

He is being treated at the intensive care unit in the Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant in Bron. He remains in a critical condition and his injuries are considered to be “life threatening” and is being monitored by doctors and nurses every 20 minutes.

Ayaan’s sister Hina Adnan, 19, and his father Adnan are the only people allowed to visit him where he is in a private room, while his mother Beenish has been staying at his bedside “day and night”.

Miss Adnan, who works for British Airways, was booked on a flight to Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday last week by her manager so she would be able to visit her brother and the company also funded her taxi from the airport to the hospital.

She said: “My dad rang me as soon as he went in the ambulance. Staff are monitoring him and doing CT scans and MRI scans on his brain.

“He has got a brain bleed. They have tried to stop the bleeding but it turned into a micro bleed so that is affecting him. He is critical and he is fighting. He can hear us but he’s got so much brain trauma.

“We have hope because when he was badly injured and the ambulance came, the paramedics were trying to speak to him in English and he gave my uncle’s name.

“Everyone in our family is in shock. When he can talk, we hope he can explain what happened. We’re concerned about him getting better. He has travel insurance from the UK government but his medical bills could come up to tens of thousands of pounds.”

The family are now raising money to build a water well in Pakistan in Ayaan’s name. Under their Islamic faith, it is hoped this will bring him good luck.

Miss Adnan said “hundreds” of people have sent well wishes for Ayaan’s recovery, including his friends at the Piggott School.

She describes him as “happy and bubbly” with a love for sports, including cricket and football.

Miss Adnan said: “Teachers at his school have donated to the fundraiser and they’re trying to do a charity football match in his name. He loves playing football. He is very sporty. His cricket friends have all donated.

“He also has his own car washing business with his friends in Wargrave and he has regulars where he will clean their cars on the weekends.

“My phone has blown up with people sending me their well wishes. Hundreds of people are messaging me, my dad and my mum. People are coming round dropping off food, chocolate and flowers. My grandma can’t travel so she is at home with my little sister Anya, who is 15 and has got exams.”

The fundraiser was set up by Ayaan’s other sister, Isra Butt, who said: “We humbly request the community to come together during this difficult time to pray for his full recovery and donate to Sadaqah [voluntary charity] on his behalf.

“We have established a donation link to construct a deep water well. Where financial contributions may fall short, prayer is a priceless gift we can never quantify.”

The family has raised more than £1,500 so far. To donate, visit tinyurl.com
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