Doting uncle in coma after being hit by car

An electrician from Willenhall described as "fun-loving" and "one of the lads" was left fighting for his life after being knocked down by a car, friends and relatives said today.

Craig Green, aged 34, remains in critical care following the collision in his home town of Willenhall almost two weeks ago.

His family today spoke of their "terrible" ordeal and said the avid Aston Villa fan was starting to make some progress.

He remains in a coma at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth hospital and doctors have warned he faces at least three months there.

Mr Green was hit by a car in Coppice Lane as he walked home from the Jolly Collier pub following the Wolves-Villa derby on September 26. His sister Andrea today said she and parents Bill and Christine had been moved by the overwhelming support for him. "He's such a good-looking guy who is full of life and likes his beer and his football," said the mother-of-one.

"Craig's a huge Villa fan and he dotes on his nephew Thomas, who is 17.

"He's just one of the lads and is very fun-loving."

Andrea, aged 37, revealed her brother was starting to open his eyes although he has not come round from his coma.

He had to have a section of his skull removed.

Miss Green said: "We want to thank everybody for the amazing support we have had which means a lot to us all.

"At one point there were up to 35 people at the hospital in one night.

"Everyone has been fantastic at Queen Elizabeth Hospital — the nursing staff, the doctors, the surgical team and everyone down to the porters.

"They have basically helped keep Craig alive," she added.

Andrea said: "One of his friends even came all the way from Plymouth to come and see him and then went back again.

"The support we have been getting from everyone has just been brilliant.

"At one point there was a team of eight doctors working on him."

Mr Green has recently been moved from the hospital's neuro-critical care unit to the neuro-surgical ward.

Mr Green is a regular at the Jolly Collier pub, in Lucknow Road.