A YOUNG man who was in a coma for three weeks after he was knocked down on a night out to celebrate the end of his exams has graduated from university.

By Juliette Maxam

A YOUNG man who was in a coma for three weeks after he was knocked down on a night out to celebrate the end of his exams has graduated from university.

Ian Kershaw, 26, of Brook Street, Colchester, has been awarded a BSc in Applied Sport Science from De Montfort University, in Bedford.

The ceremony was extra poignant for Mr Kershaw, who came close to losing his life after a road accident in Colchester in the summer.

The student was knocked down while crossing Queen Street on June 18 after a night out celebrating the end of his exams.

He was due to move out of his student digs in Bedford the following day.

He bruised his brain, which left him unable to use the left side of his body. He also suffered a broken cheekbone and injured his shoulder.

He was in a coma for three weeks and was lucky not to have sustained brain damage. He was in Colchester General Hospital for five weeks.

He is still recovering and learning how to walk again in weekly physiotherapy sessions. Doctors have said he will make a full recovery, but it could take 18 months. He has no memory of the accident.

Mr Kershaw, who collected his degree on crutches, said: “I am really pleased to be getting my degree, as I put a lot of work into studying for the BSc.

“My life has changed dramatically since the accident and it has given me a different perspective on life. “But I hope once I am better I can develop my career and work as a physiotherapist or in the area of sport and nutrition.”

In the meantime, Mr Kershaw is being cared for by his mother, Vilma, and a family friend, Fiona Brassington.

His girlfriend, Deborah Rodd, who was doing a PGCE at De Montfort University, has also been “brilliant”, he said.

He is spending his days doing his physiotherapy exercises, reading and watching football on the television.

A fully trained Colchester United Football in the Community coach, Mr Kershaw said: “I get frustrated I can't play football. I get upset just watching games.”

He added: “I can't wait to play football again, as it's a big love of mine and I was in the University team.”