A HUSBAND last night paid tribute to his “incredible” wife who is fighting for her life in hospital after suffering brain damage in a rollerblading accident.

Mother-of-one Caroline Place fell during her first attempt at rollerblading.

Although she had taken a helmet to Darlington’s South Park, in her haste to join a friend she left it in the car.

The 44-year-old complementary therapist’s family have been told by doctors to prepare for the worst as she remains on a life support machine in The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough.

Yesterday, Mrs Place’s husband, Paul, spoke of the family’s anguish in trying to come to terms with doctors’ prognosis that even if she does survive, she is highly unlikely to retain full brain function.

“It seems it’s just a matter of time now,” he said.

Full story in today's The Northern Echo