More than a hundred people gathered to pray for young Dakarai Tucker who was still in a coma last night.

His parents Dawna and Stephen Tucker listened via a speakerphone from Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore while family and friends gathered at the Hamilton Seventh Day Adventist Church at King Street last night.

They hope that the power of prayer will help the 15-year-old who remains in critical condition after a blood vessel ruptured in his brain ten days ago.

Doctors can do nothing for Dakarai at the moment because there is too much swelling in the brain, which prevents them from operating on the ruptured blood vessel.

Last night his grandmother Janet DeGrilla said:"Ireally do believe that tonight will help. It has been wonderful to see so many people from different parts of the community gather for one reason, Dakarai.

"His parents were just on the phone and it was really overwhelming for them to hear the prayers and hymns .

"Dakarai's older sister Rosha Gibbons:"Its been very hard these last few days.

"The promising young footballer, who plays for the Under 15 National team as well as the Under 15 and Under 18 Academy teams, went to Warwick Academy school last Monday feeling fine. But soon after lunch he had a severe headache and within a short period he began to feel nauseous. He collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. Within hours he was medivacked off the Island.

Last night members of the staff and students gathered at the vigil for their friend. The school is planning a special grub day to raise money.

In a letter to parents head teacher Robert Lennox wrote:"It is clear that the full student body needs to be able to do something in a practical sense for Dakarai. They have prayed collectively and are making cards and messages but still feel somewhat inadequate.

"Dakarai's family are soon to experience some of the costs connected with supporting him. They are constantly at his bedside.

"We have decided, therefore, to hold an extra 'grub' day this Friday and invite donations.

"To family have also opened a Bank of Butterfield account for members of the public to make donations to.

The 'Dakarai Tucker's Medical Expenses Account' number is 20-0060-604-315132-00.

Members of the public can also mail cards to Dakarai and his family by addressing them to the attention of Courtney Brennan at Johns Hopkins Children's Centre, Child Life Department, 600 N Wolfe Street, Baltimore MD 21287, USA. Or join the Facebook group "Pray for Dakarai Tucker".