Yahoo Finance Well-wishers raise thousands of pounds for 'dead' teen, 18, who started breathing again
A fundraising appeal set up for a teenage pedestrian who survived being hit by a van, despite being 'certified dead', has raised thousands of pounds in just a few days.
Lewis Roberts, 18, suffered catastrophic head injuries when he was hit by the vehicle on 13 March.
He was rushed to hospital and underwent surgery, but his family were told that the teenager had suffered a 'brain stem death' and nothing more could be done.
But just hours before his organs were due to be harvested to help others Lewis, from Blackshaw Moor near Leek, Staffordshire, started breathing again on his own and since then has shown signs of improvement.
An online fundraising appeal dubbed,'A Pint for Lewis' has been set up and has already raised more than £4,212.
Organiser Chloe Roberts said: "On March 13, Lewis suffered catastrophic head injuries when he was struck by a van in his hometown of Leek and was flown to hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.
"Four days later, the doctors broke the news to our family that nothing more could be done as he had unfortunately suffered a 'brain stem death' and sadly passed away.
"After saying our goodbyes to Lewis, close family bravely agreed for his organs to be donated to help the lives of seven other people.
"This bought Lewis extra time before his life support machine was turned off. Just hours before Lewis' surgery, he began to breathe again on his own.
"A miracle any family could wish for after being told he had zero chance of pulling through."
She said he had continued to progress and had started to react to pain tests, moving his limbs on his own, and was also able to move his head from side to side, blink and also move his mouth, adding: "Every day, this boy is getting stronger."
She added: "Many people have asked to send money for a pint for Lewis. Any money that is sent will be for Lewis when he is home and back on his feet. We would just like to say, as a family, thank you so much and we are very grateful for everyone's prayers and best wishes for Lewis."
Lewis' sister Jade Roberts, 28, said: "Thank you so, so much to every single one of you who has donated. Lewis will be chuffed to bits. We cannot wait for him to wake up and see it."
Staffordshire Police are currently investigating the collision, which happened on Broad Street in Leek on the afternoon of Saturday, March 13.
To donate to the Pint for Lewis fundraiser, visit the GoFundMe page.
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