A WHARFEDALE cricket club is praying for its President following a serious accident overseas.

Charles Dracup is currently in a coma and on a ventilator in a hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The 59 year old broke his neck on December 26 after falling from a balcony at the start of a family holiday in the country.

Menston Cricket Club Secretary Paul Smith says everyone who knows Mr Dracup is now hoping that he can recover - and there have been some encouraging signs.

In a statement posted online this week, he said: “It is with great sadness that we report that Charles Dracup, our Club President, is currently in hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa following a terrible accident on Boxing Day.

“Our understanding is that on the first night of a family holiday Charles fell from a balcony - a drop of some 15 feet - and landed on his head, fracturing his neck.

“Charles is currently in a coma and he is breathing via a ventilation machine.

“There are some positive signs, however: the blood pressure on his brain is reducing, albeit very slightly, day by day.

“His wife Caroline is by his side daily, and his son Joshua and daughter Emma are being cared for by their Uncle Tim whilst in South Africa.

“Everyone at Menston Cricket Club, and also those who know Charles through cricket, are sending their thoughts and prayers to the Dracup family at this difficult time.

“We hope for the best possible outcome for Charles – he has been a driving force behind many things at Menston Cricket Club for a number of years.”

The statement concludes: “It is so sad to start 2020 with such terrible news. Menston Cricket Club will do what it can, where it can, to help but for now our thoughts are with the Dracup family and we truly hope for a positive outcome.”

Speaking to the Wharfedale & Aireborough Observer about Mr Dracup’s condition, Mr Smith said: “There are some positive signs. He’s not regained consciousness yet but he’s in the best possible place there is in South Africa for this particular injury.

“All we can do at the moment is hope for the best. We’re also getting as many people as we can to sign a card to send over to the family in South Africa - we’re just doing anything we can to show support.”