DONATIONS have topped £30,000 for a man lying critically ill in an Indian hospital, as family and friends attempt to fly him home.

Sean Connolly, 26, has spent the past week in a coma with brain damage, a fever of the brain and respiratory problems after being found collapsed in the street in Mumbai.

How the former Dorcan Technology College student sustained his injuries is still a mystery because he cannot speak, and his family have been struggling to overcome the language barrier.

Sean, who grew up in Liden before moving to London, set off for a two-week holiday on the sub-continent but had no insurance – and it is costing up to £1,000 a day to keep him in intensive care in a country where high-quality treatment has to be paid for.

He is said to be improving daily and is now beginning to breathe on his own, as his father and several friends stay by his bedside.

A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said last week they were in contact with his next of kin and the hospital authorities, and are providing consular assistance.

Close pal Nikki Loveday said: “It’s going really well in terms of fundraising. Swindon Town Football Club let people collect with buckets at the game on Saturday and the response has been unbelievable.”

Friends wrote on Sean’s fundraising website last night: “Sean has shown massive progress today. His temperature is under control and his respiratory life support machine has been set to semi-automatic.

“This is so promising as it means he is beginning to breathe on his own. “We have been advised by doctors that while he is making such good progress it is not a good idea to move him.

“We feel it only fair to keep everyone fully up to date on Sean’s status and how the funds are being used. Up to date donations have been used to cover Sean’s private hospital bills, along with any further bills for medication.

“Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of everyone involved we are now in a position where we can move quickly and adapt to whatever Sean’s needs may be.

“The donations will continue to pay for his medical expenses and we will keep you update you when we can. We are all hugely grateful to everyone who has contributed.”

For updates on Sean’s condition visit http://pledgie.com/campaigns/18410