A LEADING Southend councillor is in a critical condition in hospital following an accident.

Blenheim Park councillor and deputy leader Graham Longley was taken to Queen’s Hospital Romford for emergency surgery following an accident at his home on McDivitt Walk, Leigh, on October 13.

According to his family, he is now making slow progress in the Neuro Critical Care Unit of the hospital, which handles intensive care management of patients with head or spine injuries and neurological conditions.

A statement released by Maureen, Vanessa, Eliana, and Simone Longley read: “Last Tuesday, as a result of an accident at home, Graham was taken to Queens’s Hospital in Romford for emergency surgery.

“He is in the care of the Neuro Critical Care Unit at this post-operative stage and is slowly making progress.

“We hope that he will soon be moved back to Southend Hospital so that he can continue his recovery in his home town.

“We would like to thank all the friends, colleagues and local residents that have offered their support and good wishes for his return to full health.

“We are very thankful and appreciative of the amazing care that he has received from the Ambulance Service, Southend Hospital and the Neurological Team at Queen’s Hospital.

“Their knowledge, skill and dedication have been outstanding.”

Council leader Ron Woodley added: “I have a great deal of respect for Graham as deputy leader of the council, as I rely on him for his experience as a councillor and a former leader of the council, so had the opportunity to bounce ideas.

“Graham has always had the town at heart in all that has done and, at this point in time, I miss his wise comments and his experience in the Cabinet.

“The accident is something we all regret happened and we do wish him and his family all our best wishes.”

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service said: “We were called to McDivitt Walk, Leigh, at 9.22am on Tuesday, October 13, to reports a man in his sixties had suffered a fall.

“We sent one ambulance with a senior paramedic and a technician, who arrived within three minutes, and the man was taken to Southend Hospital for further care shortly after.”