A woman seriously injured after being gored by a stag in the Highlands is making good progress, doctors said yesterday.
Kate Stone, 44, remains in a medically-induced coma after the animal pierced her throat with its antlers while she was on holiday in Lochaber on Monday.
Her sister said the possibility that the Cambridge University academic could be left paralysed by her injuries could not be ruled out but doctors said they were pleased with her progress so far, following surgery to repair damage to her windpipe earlier this week.
Clair Stone, 39, of Dundee, said: “There is a possibility that she could be paralysed – doctors say they can’t rule anything out. Kate has received support from all over the world and we would like to thank everyone for their good wishes.”
Ms Stone is a research engineer at Cambridge’s institute of manufacturing, and also has her own hi-tech printing company.
A statement released by colleagues at print firm Novalia said they also received an overwhelming number of messages of support following the accident.
They said: “Having spoken with the hospital, we understand that she will remain in an induced coma for the next few days to minimise any movement following her surgery earlier this week.
“She remains in a stable condition and the doctors are pleased with her progress so far.
“We have received an overwhelming number of messages from friends, colleagues and clients for Kate, which we are looking forward to passing on to her.”
The stag ran towards Ms Stone while she was standing with a group of friends outside the Lochailort home of guitarist Jim Hunter in the early hours of last Monday.
The group was on holiday in the Highlands and was invited by Mr Hunter to his home for a drink.
He said the animal was in his garden and would have headed for the group in panic to get away.
She was treated by paramedics before being taken to Fort William’s Belford Hospital, and later flown by air ambulance to the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow.