A MAN has spoken of his fight for survival after he underwent emergency brain surgery following an incident in East Oxford.

Sean Richards, 23, suffered two blood clots on his brain after hitting his head following an altercation with a Royal Cars driver in Pegasus Road, Blackbird Leys.

Police were called to the incident and carried out an initial investigation but said they were taking no further action.

However, Royal Cars’ owner Naiz Mohammed last night confirmed a driver had been suspended while the firm carries out an internal investigation into what happened.

Surgeons at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital had to perform emergency brain surgery on Mr Richards, who was unconscious for more than 24 hours.

He spent five days in hospital and said he was “lucky to be alive”.

Mr Richards, of Strawberry Path, Blackbird Leys, said: “All I remember is waking up in a hospital bed after major surgery.

“I remember hitting my head on the road and beyond that my mind is a complete blank.

“I managed to stagger home, where my brother and dad found me and called the ambulance.

“I was talking gibberish and didn’t even know how old I was.”

The incident, which happened at about 3am on April 1, left Mr Richards needing 52 staples in his head and suffering severe grazes to his shoulder, back and legs.

He still has problems with his memory and expects it will be at least six months before he can work again as a labourer.

He said: “I hope I’m not going to be left with any permanent problems, although nobody is sure at the moment.

“It is quite worrying because I’m only 23 and don’t like to think I may never be 100 per cent fit again.

“Doctors have told me it will be a long wait, at least six months, before I can start working again, which is not good because I need an income. I just have to wait and see what happens to me. I’m very worried.”

A Facebook group set up following the incident has attracted almost 1,900 members.

Mr Richards’ mother, Geri Richards, said it was “terrifying” to see her son in hospital.

She said: “Nobody ever wants to see their child fighting for their life. I have never been so scared.

“I worry about him every time he leaves the house now and Sean is getting fed up of me calling all the time check up on him.

“We just have to keep our fingers crossed that everything is ok.”

Royal Cars are based in Cowley Road and claim to be Oxford’s “premier taxi service.”

Mr Mohammed said: “We are looking into the situation and trying to find out exactly what happened.

“The driver has been suspended and will remain so until we find out what has taken place.”

Police spokesman Chris Kearney confirmed officers followed Mr Richards to hospital.

He said: “We carried out an initial investigation and are taking no further action at this stage.”