A Tyrone GAA player has made "unthinkable" progress since suffering serious head injuries after being hit by a car in the US.
Aaron Elliot, from Clonoe, moved to America in March to play for Kevin Barry's GFC in Philadelphia.
However, the 22-year-old has spent the last two weeks in Abington Memorial Hospital in Pennsylvania after he was found unresponsive and without a pulse on August 26 in Jenkintown where he had been hit by a car.
The former Clonoe O'Rahilly's clubman suffered a catalogue of injuries, including a blood clot, leak in the brain, a fractured skull and a collapsed lung. He also underwent emergency surgery to treat a shattered elbow.
Now he has been pictured standing for the first time during a visit from UFC star Eddie Alvarez.
Alvarez, who is a former UFC Lightweight Champion, heard about Aaron when a team mate of the GAA player contacted him, hoping to raise awareness of a fundraising campaign. An online campaign to help pay Aaron's medical bills has already raised $50,000.
The Mixed Martial Arts fighter, who was knocked out by Ireland's Conor McGregor last November, was moved by the story and was soon at Aaron's bedside.
Following the visit, the UFC star tweeted: ""Finally got a chance to go see Aaron Elliot , this kids a walking miracle and testimony to pure will and toughness #ufc #thnq #Aaronsabeast".
Ronan Fay, who flew out to the US following the accident, along with his girlfriend Laura, who is Mr Elliot's sister, paid tribute to the progress he had made.
"Two weeks on to see this man standing on his own feet with one of the UFC greats is just unthinkable to see how far he has come on in such a short space of time cheers for stopping in Eddie a complete gent".
**Donations to the Aaron Elliot recovery fund can be made online at www.gofundme.com/aaron-elliot-benefit-fund
