Dad-of-three punched after stag do at Grand National is fighting for life in coma

A dad-of-three who was celebrating his stag do at the Grand National over the weekend is now fighting for his life in hospital after being punched outside a bar.

HGV driver Lee Burns, 41, had been at the Grand National at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday (April 15) before going for a night out with friends in Poulton, Lancashire.

It was then that he was assaulted and was knocked unconscious in an incident outside a bar at around 1.25am on Sunday. He suffered a head injury and was rushed to hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. He is now in an induced coma at Royal Preston Hospital.

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The Echo reports that Paul, who was due to get married in four weeks, underwent the three hour long surgery to try and stop two bleeds on his brain and to ease the pressure from the swelling, according to friend Paul Latham.

Paul has now set up a GoFundMe campaign to support Lee, who is a HGV driver and will not be able to work again due to his injuries, and his family following the tragic events.

He penned: "Hello, I’m Paul. Lee’s friend. So many people have contacted me in the last 24 hours, asking me to do this as they want to make a donation to help support Lee and his family, following the brutal attack on Lee in the early hours of Sunday morning 16.04.2023.

"Lee was returning home from his own stag do at Aintree Racecourse. Lee is now fighting for his life in Royal Preston Hospital, following a completely unprovoked attack in Poulton Le Fylde. Lee is now in a coma.

"If you would like to make a donation, please do so as Lee will never be able to return to his job again following his life saving brain surgery. Lee and Sara’s life has been changed forever as