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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Connor Lynch

Northern Ireland supporter 'hit by suspected drink driver' after seeing her first match in Athens

A woman was left badly injured after she was hit by a suspected drunk driver following the Northern Ireland match in Greece.

Her husband Lee Brooks, from Donaghadee, has told how his wife Maria, who is from Estonia, travelled to the game in Athens on Tuesday for what would be the couple's first experience of watching the team play together.

After the game had finished the couple had left the ground and were crossing the road when Maria was hit by a car that Lee claims did not stop until a delivery driver forced them too.

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The police quickly arrived at the scene and the man was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, while Maria suffered multiple injuries including a broken foot and severe bruising to her head.

Speaking to Belfast Live, Lee said: "My wife and I have lived in Cyprus for the past two years and we decided to take the opportunity to see Northern Ireland play against Greece in Athens this week.

"It was our first time watching them together and we had been enjoying ourselves throughout our time there, until the match was over.

"We were crossing the road when a car came out of nowhere and hit her. Then it continued driving until a delivery driver managed to force them to stop and they were arrested by the police.

"My wife was very badly injured and we are still awaiting test results to find out the extent of her head injury. She has also been left very badly shaken and is struggling to sleep at night."

Lee said that the support that the pair have received following the incident has been incredible, with the President of the IFA Conrad Kirkwood, getting in touch with them to offer whatever support was available.

He also thanked the PSNI who had officers in the country for the help that they provided.

Lee continued: "I just want to thank the IFA, particularly Conrad Kirkwood for the help and support that he has given us following this horrendous incident. I don't know of many other football federations that would do the same for their fans.

"The PSNI reps in Greece who joined the Northern Irish fans were also very good in helping us deal with the Greek police and we are both very grateful for their support."

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