Injured Durham student Peter Wake in serious condition

Nov 24 2008 by Neil Mckay, The Journal

A BRILLIANT young student remains seriously ill a year after he was found unconscious at the foot of concrete steps.

Peter Wake, 20, was found in Durham with a fractured skull, doctors are unable to say how complete his recovery will be.

Police have now made a fresh plea for information in a bid to solve the mystery of how the Durham University student received serious head injuries.

He was found a year ago today at the bottom of a steps in a side street leading to Grape Lane, near the Elm Tree pub in Durham City.

He was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham before being transferred to Newcastle General.

Earlier this year Peter was moved to a hospital closer to his family, who live in New Malden, Surrey. He is classed as ‘stable’, but is unable to function independently and needs round-the-clock care.

His family said yesterday: “Peter’s head injury is serious and the long-term prognosis remains unclear.”

A website run by his family – www.peterwake.org.uk – provides regular updates on Peter’s condition and news of fundraising efforts for the trust set up in his name.

On October 31 they wrote: “Today we left the hospital environment for the first time in 11 months and took Pete for a stroll in Richmond Park. It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon and Pete seemed to respond well to being outside and in familiar surroundings. Thanks to the hospital staff who made this outing possible. We hope to make many more such trips in future.”

Peter had been out with friends in Durham on the Tuesday evening, leaving the ‘Love Shack’ bar in the Claypath area just after midnight. He was then seen on CCTV cameras on Milburngate Bridge six minutes later. When he was found on the Wednesday morning he was barely 30 metres from the student accommodation he rented in Allergate.

Det Sgt Tony Dumighan said: “We have been unable to trace anyone who actually saw what happened to him. Even after all this time it is possible there may be someone who, for whatever reason, has not come forward.”