Funds raised to aid ‘loved’ Lucas

By Robin Jones

HELP: Lucas Vaughan

AN emergency appeal has been set up for Lydney Town teenage striker Lucas Vaughan who was left in a coma following a serious car accident in which three of his friends died.

An Audi A1 carrying six people on their way home from a funeral was involved in the crash with a bus in Rhondda Cynon Taf, in South Wales at around 7pm on Monday, December 11.

Jesse Owen, 18, who was thought to have been the driver, Morgan Smith, 18, and Callum Griffiths, 19, died while Lucas and a 19-year-old were taken to University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff with life-threatening injuries.

Shocked Lydney officials immediately called off the home Hellenic Premier game at home to Brimscombe & Thrupp the following evening.

A GoFundMe appeal set up by family friend Lisa Martin to raise £13,000 to help former Bristol Rovers academy ace Lucas with his recovery had nearly met its target as we closed for press.

“Lucas is a very hard-working talented footballer,” said Lisa. “He is the most kindest, loving family oriented young man who would do anything for anyone.

“When he gets through this he’s going to be in hospital into the new year at least, followed by months of hospital appointments and physio and all his other appointments at fracture clinic etc, someone needs to be at home to look after him and get him through the months that lie ahead.”

A Lydney statement said: “Since joining us, initially on loan and then permanently since leaving Bristol Rovers in the summer, Lucas, at only 18, has been a shining light at our club, an incredibly talented footballer but more so, a top top guy with a lovely manner and zest for life.

“We all pray with everything we have for him and his amazing family at such a difficult time.”