Prospects grim for Kerry footballer Paddy Curtin after he was a victim of Guatemala crash

Kerry footballer Paddy Curtin remained in critical condition on a life-support machine in a Florida hospital last night after suffering catastrophic injuries in a car accident.

The 26-year-old Moyvane man is under specialist care in Fort Lauderdale, but his prospects for recovery are grim, it was confirmed last night.

His father John and sister Linda are maintaining a bedside vigil for the North Kerry man, who played Championship with the Kingdom in 2012 and 2013 at full forward. He also played minor and Under 21 for the county.

Mr Curtin was involved in a car accident last week in Guatemala, where he was working with the Liebherr crane company, which is based in Killarney.

He has been living in the Central American country since September.

He suffered serious head injuries in the accident and was treated locally in Guatemala city before being airlifted to a specialist unit in Fort Lauderdale.

Family and friends in Moyvane, outside Listowel, were last night bracing themselves for the worst, with the chairman of the local GAA club, Johnny Stack, admitting they felt shocked and helpless.

Mr Stack said Curtin was a key part of the club and local community, adding that the thoughts and prayers of all involved with Moyvane GAA are with the Curtin family at this heartbreaking time.

Curtin played six senior championship games with Kerry including the 2012 All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Donegal, as well as 10 national league matches.