Blackpool Scot dies after fall in resort
Family forced to turn off life support
A SCOT living in Blackpool died after a fall on a night out left him with serious brain damage.
Darren Whitfield, from Clackmannanshire, had been out enjoying the festivities with his brother in the English seaside town when tragedy struck on December 16.
The 37-year-old was on crutches when he fell. He suffered a serious head injury when he hit his head on the ground.
Darren was rushed to hospital and placed in an induced coma for three nights after doctors found severe brain damage.
Four days after the accident, his family took the decision to switch off his life support.
Paying tribute to her son, mum Yvonne told the Record: “They fought for him in the hospital but he just couldn’t wake up.
“We were going to turn it off the day before but they left it another night just to see if he would come around.
“Darren was a happy-golucky guy. He didn’t have a care in the world. Nothing bothered him, he just took life as it was.
“He was back up in Scotland all the time and he had plenty of pals there.
“He will be missed by all of his friends and especially by me, his dad and his brother.”
Darren’s family are still awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination but are planning to eventually bury his ashes in Scotland next to his late gran.
A fundraising page has since been set up to help pay for his funeral. So far, more than £300 of the £1000 target has been raised.
Darren’s cousin Stacey Walsh, who lives in Clackmannanshire and set up the page, described Darren as her “best pal”.
She said on the GoFundMe page: “We are all heartbroken. Darren was my cousin, one of my best friends who we all loved dearly.
“If anyone could donate to help anything at all it would be greatly appreciated.”
Others also paid tribute to Darren.
Christina McCallum said: “So tragic. Taken too soon. Rest In Peace, Dazzle son xx.”
Darren’s cousin Danielle Walsh added: “Rest In Peace, Dazzle.”