Teenage footballer and former Huntly player 'making progress' after being hit by car in New York

A teenage footballer who was left critically injured after being hit by a car in New York has started to “make progress” following a successful operation.

Former Huntly player Ethan Walker was struck while walking back to his dorm at Genesee Community College in Rochester, on September 12.

The 17-year-old was airlifted to a nearby hospital where he it was revealed he suffered multiple broken bones and bleeding in the brain.

His family, from Ellon in Aberdeenshire, launched a fundraiser in an attempt to raise $50,000 towards the cost of his treatment.

Now, following a successful operation, his former football club revealed the teenager is now mobile with the help of a walker.

A club spokesperson for Huntly FC said: “He is beginning to make some progress. He is weight bearing and able to mobilise with a walker. He has had his first knee operation to put his knee meniscus back in place.

“He will need more extensive knee surgeries in a couple of months but he is likely to be returning home to have that done.

“He faces several really significant challenges ahead but remains positive and determined to work hard on his rehabilitation with the goal being to make a full recovery. I passed on the best wishes of everyone at Huntly Football Club.”

Bejnamin Bacon, the organiser of the online fundraiser, thanked all of those who had donated and said Ethan will now receive further help after the funds were transferred to an American account.

He said: “As you know Ethan is an international student from Scotland, therefore neither him or his parents have an American Bank account or social security number.

“But luckily his uncle, Ryan Kerr has both an American bank account and social security number so we’ve changed the beneficiary from Ethan’s father Paul Walker to his uncle Ryan Kerr.

“Now we will finally be able to transfer the funds and help Ethan get the help and attention he needs. Thank you so much to everyone who donated and shared this fundraiser, we couldn’t have done it without you all.”