Family of young Irish woman seriously injured after being knocked down in Sicily provide update on her condition

The family of a young Irish woman who suffered life-changing injuries after being struck by a car in Sicily have provided an update on her condition.

Hannah Leonard, 22, was in the early stages of her final long-distance run in preparation for the Dublin Marathon when she was hit by a car as she ran across a pedestrian crossing on October 6.

The devastating collision reportedly sent Hannah, who is from Bray in Co Wicklow, flying approximately 15 feet across the road, where she landed on her head.

READ MORE - Irish marathon runner in a coma after 'flying 15 feet into the air' in horror collision

READ MORE - Family of Irish runner 'still in shock' after accident training for Dublin marathon

After being rushed to hospital, Hannah underwent three hours of emergency neurosurgery, including having a large piece of skull removed to allow surgeons to access her brain.

Her father, Kevin, has taken to a GoFundMe - set up to assist with medical costs - to provide an update on Hannah's condition.

He wrote: "It's just over 5 weeks since my wife and I got that life changing phone call about Hannah's accident, 5 weeks since all of our lives were turned upside down. Hannah remains in the ICU in the hospital in Catania receiving such wonderful care and attention from the medical team.

"Her condition hasn't changed much since my last update, Hannah is still in the coma and is still battling a bacterial infection. The infection has delayed her being able to get the piece of skull replaced that was removed during the initial lifesaving surgery.

"We know that she continues to fight with the strength and determination that she has shown throughout her life. We get daily updates from the doctors that she is stable. They have started to do a little bit of physiotherapy with Hannah to move her body a bit. We still see positive signs when we visit, whether that is her eye being open a little and her eyelids twitching, her mouth moving as we tell her stories, her reaction to pain when she had to get an injection or her yawning and stretching her body."

Kevin went on to acknowledge the remarkable support his family has received since the dreadful day when the life of Hannah and her family changed forever.

Kevin and his wife, as well as Hannah's brother, sister and boyfriend, continue to visit her in the ICU whenever it is allowed. The GoFundMe page has so far taken in €173,000 against an initial goal of €170,000.

"Since my last update Hannah has continued to get support from all corners of the world, a mass being said for her in Peru, a rosary marathon being held in the midlands of Ireland, a sponsored swim in Killiney Bay, monks praying for her in Co. Cork, messages of support from Australia, various different healers throughout Europe working on her and sending positive energy," Kevin continued.

"It's just amazing to us as a family how far Hannah's story has travelled and how many hearts she has touched.

"To those of you that have taken the time to read her story and donate to her, we are eternally grateful and Hannah will be too. To those of you that send kind messages and leave positive comments, that is what gets us through these uncertain times. To those of you with children, hold them tight and tell them that you love them everyday."

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