A 12-year-old boy from New Jersey is fighting for his life in hospital after a freak baseball incident last week.
According to New York outlet ABC7, Xavier Taylor is in critical condition following after being accidentally struck in the neck with a ball in South Jersey.
He was warming up ahead of a game for Maple Shade Youth Baseball, but after being hit with the errant throw, he was reportedly airlifted to Cooper University Hospital, where he remains in intensive care.
Hundreds of friends, neighbors and teammates gathered for a prayer vigil filled with music, candles and messages of hope at the field where the incident occurred on Thursday night.
Many of them wore shirts of Taylor’s number six jersey.
His father, Greg Taylor, is said to have defiantly told the crowd: “My son Xavier loves this game. He will play this game again.
Another speaker was quoted as saying: “Tonight, we are here to lift him up in prayer, strength and hope and love.
“Baseball teaches us about teamwork, showing up for one another and never giving up, and tonight, that’s exactly what we’re doing for Xavier.”
Supporters also organized a meal train for the family and raised over $60,000 to help them with medical expenses.
In a post on Facebook, Greg Taylor expressed his graтιтude for the wealth of support the family has received.
He said: “There can be no words our family has to describe the outpouring of love, visitors, support, donations, thoughts, and prayers to our family over the last few days.
“We believe and come into agreement that miracles do exist and a miracle will happen for our Xavier.”