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Assault victim is still on life support a week after attack

Assault victim, Danny Payne remains in an induced coma and on life support more than a week after he was attacked.
Assault victim, Danny Payne remains in an induced coma and on life support more than a week after he was attacked. Assault victim, Danny Payne remains in an induced coma and on life support more than a week after he was attacked.

A DERRY assault victim remains in a coma and on life support more than a week after he was attacked.

Father-of-three Danny Payne is in a stable condition at Belfast’s Royal Victoria hospital after he was attacked in Derry city centre.

Mr Payne, a former volunteer with the city’s Foyle Search and Rescue organisation, suffered serious head injuries in the incident at Newmarket Street early on Sunday October 22. His wife, Sarah also suffered a ruptured retina.

A 19-year-old man has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and is expected to appear at Derry Magistrate’s Court on November 15.

An 18-year-old woman arrested following the incident has been released pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service.

Mr Payne’s brother-in-law Christopher McElwee said the family was taking it in turns to support his sister Sarah as she maintains a vigil by her husband’s bedside.

“She is very upset and had to go to the Royal for treatment to her ruptured retina but that appears to be starting to heal now. She’s exhausted.

“I called into her before church on Sunday and I gave her a hug and just said ‘If you want to cry, just cry’ but she said “I’m cried out,” Mr McElwee said.

He said the family was relieved that Mr Payne’s condition had stabilised but was concerned that he was still in a coma.

“He’s had two bouts of surgery for swelling on the brain and he’s still on life support in intensive care,” he said.

Following the attack, there was an outpouring of support for the family on social media. Mr McElwee said the family have also had messages and prayers sent from all over the world.

“We are a Christian family and we’re just praying that he pulls through. There were people in our church telling us that they had messages from a church in Canada to say they were praying for Danny.

“It’s going to be a long journey but knowing that strangers are praying for you and that there is support for the family is a great help,” he said.