Cheshire man left in a coma with life-changing brain injuries after

A Cheshire man has been left with life-changing injuries after being punched while on holiday in the Canary Islands. Marshall Latham, 68, struck his head on the ground following an ‘unprovoked attack’.

The retired carpenter, from Nantwich, was walking back to his apartment in Fuerteventura on December 10 last year when he was assaulted. His family has been told due to the severity of a brain injury he may not survive and may never “walk or talk” again.

He was flown to a hospital in Gran Canaria and had part of his skull removed, to help ease pressure and but suffered two bouts of pneumonia. A 32-year-old man was held by police in connection with the incident as he attempted to board a flight to Glasgow.

Friend Neil Cooper, who has set up a GoFundMe campaign for Mr Latham, said Marshall, known as “Marsh” was in the popular resort of Caleta de Fuste, on the east coast of the island when he was attacked. “He was walking back to his apartment after a couple of drinks with his friends and was punched out of the blue by someone he did not know. This punch resulted in Marsh falling and hitting his head hard on the concrete floor. Marsh was knocked unconscious and an ambulance was called.

Marsh Latham who suffered life-changing injuries

“Marsh went to the hospital in Puerto del Rosario and this is where he was intubated, ventilated and underwent a CT scan which showed he had two skull fractures and a bleed on his brain, a very serious injury that required immediate surgical intervention.

“However, the hospital in Fuerteventura is not equipped for such traumatic cases as this so Marsh was transferred via air ambulance to the Insular Hospital in Gran Canaria. The surgeons at both hospitals were surprised that he survived the flight as his injuries were that severe.

“Marsh underwent surgery that resulted in 14cm of his skull being removed to decompress the pressure that had built up on his brain. He remained sedated, on a ventilator and was transferred into the Intensive Care Unit for further monitoring.”

The popular Caleta de Fusta resort where Mr Latham was attacked.

Since his initial surgery Marsh has had more operations, including a tracheostomy, a bolt put into his skull to measure the pressure, a drain put into his brain to drain excess cerebral spinal fluid that was building up causing more pressure on his brain.

He has battled pneumonia twice, and fought his way through meningitis Twice, family and friends have been told they need Marsh was not expected to make it through the night.

Neil said: “Unfortunately when Marsh’s sedation was turned off, he did not wake up apart from briefly opening his eyes and small movements of his limbs. Marsh has had further X-rays, CT scans, an MRI scan, blood tests and it is now confirmed that unfortunately Marsh has a traumatic brain injury and the chances that he will recover from this is very unlikely. Marsh will never walk or talk again. He will need round the clock care due to his injuries.”

So far just under £9,500 has been raised via the appeal which aims to raise £20,000 to help support with legal fees as his family hope to bring Marsh back to the UK.

Marsh is a “well loved character” both in Nantwich in Cheshire where he lives and in Fuerteventura where he spent a lot of the winter months on holiday with his partner Lynn.

Neil said: “We want to bring Marsh’s attacker to justice and although this won’t change his medical situation, it will allow his friends and family to know that the person who did this has to face the consequences of their actions. Marsh didn’t ask for this, he certainly didn’t deserve this and it was just a case of him being in the wrong place at the wrong time which has caused him to be in this situation.”

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has confirmed it is supporting the family of a British man who has been hospitalised in Spain.

A spokesman for the National Police in Spain said: “A 32-year-old man whose initials are TD was held at Fuerteventura Airport after being identified from CCTV. He was handed over to the courts following his arrest.”

A court official for the area said: “He appeared before a judge at Court of Investigation Number Four in Puerto del Rosario. He is being investigated on suspicion of a crime of wounding. He was released on bail. An investigation is ongoing. The court is awaiting a forensic review and the taking of witness statements.” Neither the police or court officials were able to confirm his nationality

The GoFundMe appeal, called ‘Help Us Get Justice For Marsh’

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