KESGRAVE/FELIXSTOWE: Town football fans have united in prayer for a “lovely” man who was critically injured in an horrific industrial accident.

Gavin Frost, a well-known Ridgeons League football player, was seriously injured when he was hit by a digger bucket before falling into a 20ft hole in Fentons Way, Grange Farm, Kesgrave, on Saturday.

Messages of support have flooded in, with town residents sending best wishes to Mr Frost’s family and friends.

Terry Fenwick, chairman of Ipswich Wanderers and a friend of Mr Frost, known as Frosty, today said the team had been left shaken by the news.

Mr Frost is understood to have suffered serious facial injuries, a suspected fractured skull, a punctured lung, broken ribs and a smashed arm.

He remains in a critical condition in Ipswich Hospital in an induced coma on a life-support machine.

At this time it is understood there are no plans to transfer Mr Frost, who is in his 30s, to any other hospital.

During his footballing career, Mr Frost has played for Felixstowe and Walton United and Ipswich Wanderers.

He remains on the books for the Wanderers and has been playing for Ransomes Sports Football Club for the past four weeks.

Mr Fenwick said: “I am absolutely devastated to hear the news about Frosty. He’s such a lovely bloke and was a great leader when captain of our club. We were and still are very shaken about the news.

“We are sure he will make a full and speedy recovery.”

Terry Green, of Ransomes Sports, said Mr Frost was a valued member of the team.

He said: “He has been playing for the team for four weeks. The whole team is thinking about him and we would like to send out messages of support to his family and friends at this very, very difficult time.”

A statement on the Felixstowe and Walton United website said: “The club sends its best wishes to Gavin Frost and his family following his accident at the weekend.

“Frosty was a regular in the Seasiders for three seasons between 2005 and 2008 and always popular around the club spending his last season at Dellwood as captain of the side.

“Our thoughts are with Gavin and his family.”

The incident is currently the subject of a joint police and Health and Safety Executive Investigation.

n Send your messages of support to Gavin Frost. Call the Star newsdesk on 01473 324790 or send an e-mail to starletters@archant.co.uk