Dad in coma after clashing heads during Sunday league football match

A dad has been in a coma for three days after a clash of heads during a Sunday league football match.

Dylan Beattie was playing centre-back for Glasgow North United against Hillwood in Priesthill when he jumped to head the ball away.

Two opposition players also attempted to head the ball, and the 25-year-old landscaper was struck in the face, knocking him unconscious.

Dylan’s head then crashed into the ground. After being taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital he was placed into an induced coma for swelling and a bleed on the brain.

Megan O’Donnell

During the morning of the accident, Dylan had been dancing with his 14-month-old son Taio preparing before for the game.

His partner of eight years, Megan O’Donnell, said it was like any other Sunday.

“He woke up on Sunday morning in such a good mood on Sunday morning,” the 23-year-old told STV News.

“The music was blaring and he was dancing with our wee boy in the living room. He dropped my lunch off because he was working.

“Then left to play football and said he loved me. I’ve not heard his voice since. He is still in a coma and isn’t responding.

“They’ve tried to wake him up every single day. We’ve been told it is a waiting game.

Brandon Imran

“He could wake up with memory loss, he might to learn how to do everything again or he might have a disability.”

Dylan’s best friend Brandon Imran was playing alongside him at the heart of the defence when the accident happened during the last ten minutes of the game.

The 27-year-old said players from both sides and the referee were quick to react and put the dad, who was struggling to breathe, in the recovery position.

He said: “I’ve never seen anything like that.

“I speak to him almost every day, so right now, it doesn’t feel real. When I’m myself, I can’t help but get upset and cry.

Megan O’Donnell

“I have a baby due in the next week or two and it hurts to think that he might not be awake for it.”

Brandon has since set up a GoFundMe to help support Dylan’s young family.

Megan says the outpouring of goodwill has been overwhelming.

The mum said: “All the support around me just now is keeping me positive.

“Dylan is so loved. I can’t wait for him to hopefully wake up and I can tell him about it all.

“The support has been amazing. If it weren’t for the people keeping me in good spirits I wouldn’t be able to be a mum or make it to hospital.

“When I’m by myself, that is when I break down.”

To visit the GoFundMe click here.

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