A Hull martial arts instructor who appeared on Britain's Got Talent is recovering after a horror car crash. Danny Ball, who owns Invictus Martial Arts, in Priory Park East, was left fighting for his life after his car crashed with a lorry.
He has now woken from a coma and spoken for the first time after being airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
John Anderson, 53, who goes to the gym and knows Danny well, said: "Everyone was in shock when we heard what happened to him.
"I was only talking to him last week and I haven't slept properly since it happened for worrying about him and everyone else who knows him feels the same.
"It is an awful thing to happen."
Danny, 28, is one half of martial arts duo Strike, who reached the final of the hit TV show in 2008.
He opened Invictus two years later, despite living Doncaster, and in that time his student numbers have swelled to more than 300.
Good wishes have been flooding in for Danny, 28, who is in a critical but stable condition after the crash on Friday, at 2.05pm.
His white Vauxhall Corsa was travelling along the A18 Tudworth Road from Hatfield towards the M180 and was in a crash with a white Mercedes lorry.
It is believed he was making his way to Hull, where he also teaches rugby players and schoolchildren, at the time.
His brother Jamie Faulding, 22, was a passenger but he escaped with only minor injuries.
Mr Anderson, who has been taught by Danny for four years, said: "He could have opened a gym anywhere but he chose Hull and in that time he has brought such a lot to the city.
"I went to the gym last night and the atmosphere was just so emotional because he wasn't there and he should have been.
"He is so well thought of and well known and I want him to know that everyone in Hull is thinking of him.
"All the young bairns he teaches love him to bits.
"There are a lot of martial arts teachers but he is above all of them, no one else is in his league and it isn't just that he is a great teacher, his personality is so strong, too.
"Whether his students are beginners or black belts, he treats everyone with the same respect."
Danny's wife, Laura Ball, posted on Facebook a picture of the Superman logo and dedicated it to her husband as news broke he was waking from his coma.
She thanked everyone for their support, writing: "Where to start! Can't thank everybody enough for all the support for Danny Ball.
"It's been overwhelming! Has been the worst few days ever and couldn't have got through it without all the support and love from everyone!
"As you know he's finally coming round and I've never been so happy!"
Meanwhile, a page called Danny Ball Fighting Fit has been set up to keep people updated on his progress.
A fundraising appeal has now been launched in aid of Yorkshire Air Ambulance, which took him to hospital following the crash.
On the page, it says: "The family and friends of Danny Ball have set up this official support page to gather together all of the positive messages being sent to Danny and his family on a daily basis.
"We hope they will help him on his road to recovery once he is well enough to receive them. It is also a place for us to keep you updated on the progress he is making.
"Danny's family and friends will be forever grateful to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance service and the medical team at Leeds General Infirmary who saved his life and we hope that one day this page will be a platform for fundraising to thank them for their efforts."
Already, the page has raised more than £1,600 through online donations after attracting 3,325 'likes'.
One post says: "Update! All this love has found it's way to Danny!
"He's breathing on his own, has woken up and has also spoken!!!!!!
"Fantastic news. Keep going Mr Ball."
Messages of supportNews of Danny Ball's fight for life hit his students in Hull hard.
Here are some of the well-wishing messages left by them on the Invictus Facebook page.
Tom Thorpe said: "I have to say the Invictus Martial Arts family are a total credit to Danny Ball And Jamie Faulding.
"Their spirit shone through tonight and I know made Mr Ball and Mr Faulding proud.
"Danny Ball is 100 per cent going to win this fight and he has one hell of a team behind him."
Joanne Morton said: "Still thinking about you all and lots of healing prayers and for a complete recovery.
"Sending lots of love to Danny, Jamie, Laura and Pauline."
Lisa Oxtoby said: "We are still thinking of you all at this difficult time. It goes without saying that if we can do anything at all to help you only have to ask."
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