British rower, 21, in a coma in the US after falling down the stairs

British rower, 21, in a coma in the US after suffering a head injury when she fell down the stairs

British rower Anna Thornton, 21, is in a coma in Seattle after falling down stairs
Thornton, who was training to be an Olympian in 2020, was studying in the US
Fall happened earlier this month but news spread as family started raising funds
Relatives are trying to raise £80,000 to have her brought back to the UK

British rower Anna Thornton is in a coma in the US after suffering a head injury while falling down some stairs.

Thornton, 21, who was training to become an Olympian in 2020, suffered the fall while studying at Washington University earlier this month.

She is currently being cared for in Seattle, where the university is located.

British rower Anna Thornton, 21 (pictured front), is in a coma in Seattle where she was studying after falling down the stairs earlier this month

News of her plight spread on Friday as relatives started raising money to have her returned to the UK.

Writing on a Just Giving page, Joe Thornton said: ‘Anna Thornton is an English rower who… has achieved so much in the short time since taking up the sport on the Nottingham River Trent at the age of 12.

‘Anna has proudly waved the team GB colours for much of this time whilst striving to become a potential 2020 Olympian.

‘At 18 she was given a full scholarship to Washington University in Seattle in order to continue to her life’s passion.

‘Anna has recently been involved in an accident involving a serious head injury and remains in a coma.

‘The money that is being raised is to bring Anna back from the Seattle hospital that is currently caring for her.’

Yaz Farooq, Washington University’s head of women’s rowing, said: ‘The thoughts and prayers of the Washington rowing community have been with Anna since her accident.

‘Our team, staff and administrators are focused on doing everything we can to ensure she receives the best possible care. We all miss her dearly at the boathouse and every single one of us is pulling for her.’

British Rowing released a statement saying: ‘We are aware that Anna was involved in an accident in Seattle, USA in early November.

‘Anna is currently studying at the University of Washington and is in a stable but serious condition.

‘At this time our focus is on supporting her and her family in any way possible.’

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