A NORTHERN Ireland football fan is "very lucky to be alive" after a fall from a three-storey building in France.
While the majority of Irish football fans have returned home following Northern Ireland and the Republic's exit from the Euros, Ben Crossley from Belfast remains in hospital in Lyon after the serious accident on June 17.
He was in Lyon to see the team defeat Ukraine 2-0 and had previously attended the side's first match against Poland in Nice.
The former Lagan College pupil fell from a three story building, suffering serious injuries including a broken knee cap, jaw, cheeks and teeth.
Speaking for the first time following his ordeal Ben said he was on the road to recovery and "slowly moving forward".
"What happened is a long story and I hope to explain all in a few weeks as my recovery progresses. In short I fell from a three-story building and I am very lucky to be alive. For now I need to focus my energy on recovery and try my best to put that nightmare event out of my mind as much as possible," he wrote on Facebook.
"Physically this has been tough, energy is low. I have struggled to sleep through the pain and came off morphine cause it has caused hallucinations. However the mental battle has been the most challenging so far and will continue to be in the coming weeks and months. I've been out of bed about three times while here and been fed through a tube until yesterday, " he continued.
Such was the severity of the Northern Ireland fan's injuries he has underwent facial reconstructive surgery along with other operations and now must do extensive rehabilitation and physiotherapy work.
"I will need a lot of dental work also, " he wrote. "The French doctors and nurses have done an unbelievable job looking after me and accommodating my dad so he can support me here. Very few of them speak much English and their efforts in communicating to us have been above and beyond."
The former Sheffield Hallam University student, who previously served as chairman of the university's Gaelic football club, had been working as a soccer coach in America. He thanked all those who have sent messages of support in the wake of his accident and hopes to return home later this week to continue his recovery.
"I hope to go home to Belfast this week and most likely spend more time in hospital until I can get mobile. I look forward to catching up with everyone back home. Again I am really touched and humbled by all the support I have received. I will be back on my feet soon," he added.
Two Northern Ireland fans tragically lost their lives whilst out supporting the team in France.
Ballymena man Darren Rodgers (24) died in the early hours of Monday, June 13 when he toppled 26ft over a barrier from a promenade in Nice. He was laid to rest on Saturday.
Robert 'Archie' Rainey from Belfast suffered a suspected heart-attack while watching the Northern Ireland v Ukraine match in Lyon on Thursday June 16. His funeral will take place on Tuesday.
