A 15-year-old Warwick Academy student is fighting for his life and in a coma after being rushed to Johns Hopkins Hospital, in Baltimore.

Dakarai Tucker went to school on Monday feeling fine, having played football for his school's team twice over the weekend, but soon after lunch he began having a serious headache.

His mother, Dawna Tucker, was called but before she could get to the school he was rushed to the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital because his condition had dramatically deteriorated in just minutes.

That evening he was med-evacked to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Avessel in his brain had ruptured and as of press time last night he was in a coma. His parents, Dawna and Stephen Tucker are with him.

Friends of Dakarai contacted The Royal Gazette in a bid to encourage the community to pray for their good friend

Warwick Academy student Lance Fraser, who is also 15, told The Royal Gazette all they could think about was Dakarai.

"A few members of his family came to school on Tuesday for a voluntary prayer in our gym," he said. "I have never seen the school come together as it did then.

" Dakarai's uncle, Bruce Degrilla, said the family have been overwhelmed by the love and support they have received. He spoke on behalf Dakarai's parents.

"It feels like all of Bermuda is thinking of Dakarai," he said. "They have received so many calls and e-mails it is amazing. For me personally, every time Ihear that people are praying for Dakarai, I cry.

"His parents and the rest of our family are very grateful for everyone's concern and support.

"Mr. Digrilla also thanked the staff at the hospital, particularly the doctor and nurses who flew with Dakarai to the US.

Dakarai is still in critical condition, currently the Tuckers are living life day to day.

They discovered that Dakarai suffered from a rare condition, similar to an aneurysm, which caused a blood vessel in his brain to rupture. It will need to be repaired, but the doctors say there is too much swelling in the brain at the moment. They must wait until that subsides before any operation can be done.

Dakarai, who is from Paget, has two younger brothers and a younger sister who are currently in Bermuda.

Mr. Digrilla said the younger siblings are staying with his family

."They really look up to Dakarai," he said.

"He is a wonderful role model. My son looks up to him too. He is just a great kid, a real joker who loves football.

"Meanwhile his schoolmates have pulled together during this difficult time.

Director of development, Jane Vickers, said:"I wish the Bermuda community could see and feel the concern and love that is flowing through all our students at Warwick Academy. It is truly an experience.

"After our prayer gathering in the sports hall I don't think there was a dry eye to be found, whether the students knew Dakarai well or just knew him to pass in the hall, it was one of ours that needed all the prayers and support that he could get.

"It is the first thing everyone asks all day, 'Any news on Dakarai?"

"That alone tells you what an incredible and lovely young man he is.

"He is also a member of the school's Under-16 football team and a member of the National Under-15 football team.

His fellow students have created a Facebook group to keep people updated on Dakarai's condition and send messages of hope and memories. Many of the students have written heartfelt notes using Internet slang.

Warwick Academy student Apryl Jackson wrote on the 'Pray for Dakarai Tucker' Facebook group and said:"Everybody was cryin for u today man pure ppl worryin bout n prayin for u man, shows how much ppl love u and care bout u man, u need to come bak home well n healthy.

"Skool ank de same with out u ... it has dat awkward silence type of thing in math and everyhtin ... when u read all de messages u get they goin make u cry man ... i ank even tryna play wid u ... man it goin touch ya heart on a real tip man... I LOVE YOU ... HURRY UP AND COME BAK!"

Another friend Jenna Butterfield wrote:"omg dakarai i cant believe this... it feels like it aink tru but it is!!! stay strong babes cuz i no ya a fighta is still hard to believe everybody at skewl is prayin for u we miss u dearly come back to the beautiful island of Bermuda! all of ya frenz and family are prayin for u plzz stay strong.

b>Anyone interested in sending cards to Dakarai and his family can mail 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".