Family's ordeal after Portsmouth man left in coma following late night car collision

A DEVASTATED family say their lives have been turned upside down after a man was left fighting for his life following a hit-and-run in Portsmouth.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Apr 2016, 06:00 BST
Updated 18th Apr 2016, 09:10 BST
L-R Sheila and Adam Maskell. Adam is in a critical condition after he was involved in a collision with a car in PortsmouthL-R Sheila and Adam Maskell. Adam is in a critical condition after he was involved in a collision with a car in Portsmouth
L-R Sheila and Adam Maskell. Adam is in a critical condition after he was involved in a collision with a car in Portsmouth

Adam Maskell was left in an induced coma after being struck by a car while walking across Station Street, near Portsmouth and Southsea railway station.

Relatives say it was only thanks to passers-by who raced to tend to the 37-year-old from Portsmouth that he’s still alive – as police say the vehicle involved did not stop and was dumped before being recovered.

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Adam’s family are now keeping a vigil at his bedside at Southampton General Hospital as they anxiously wait to see if he makes a full recovery.

And they are urging the public to help catch the motorist responsible for the shocking incident.

Speaking to The News, Adam’s brother Dean Maskell, of Fareham, said: ‘It’s just been an absolute shock. It’s been a nightmare and turned our lives upside down. You don’t know what is going to happen.

‘Even though he’s slowly starting to recover, you don’t know what he will be able to do in terms of his life going forward.’

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Police say a silver Vauxhall Astra failed to stop when the accident happened in the early hours of Monday, March 28. It was recovered after being found in the Stamshaw Angling Club car park.

Adam said: ‘If only the people involved had just stopped. To just drive off and leave someone in the road seems completely callous.

‘For me to have got that call on Monday saying I needed to go to Southampton General Hospital, and seeing my brother in an induced coma with as many tubes as you can imagine going in out and of him, was just horrendous.

‘It’s so important people come forward and help with the appeal because we need to stop this from ever happening again. The police were amazed he didn’t flip over the top of the car, such was the impact.’

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A 36-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman were arrested in the early hours of Monday, March 28, in connection with the incident and have since been released on bail until May 24.

Senior Investigating Officer, Sergeant Darren Ord, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: ‘I am appealing directly to anyone who was in the area of Station Street around this time on Sunday night.

‘Did you see a silver Vauxhall being driven in a damaged state or see anyone acting suspiciously in the Angling Club’s car park? You may be able to help.’

Call 101 and quote reference number 44160119470.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and leave information anonymously.