Posted on April 4, 2011

Beaten Giants Fan Bryan Stow in Induced Coma

Carolyn Jones, San Francisco Chronicle, April 4, 2011

Bryan Stow saved many lives as a Santa Clara County paramedic. Now, the life he’s fighting for is his own.

Stow, the San Francisco Giants fan who was severely beaten by Dodgers fans after an Opening Day game Thursday in Los Angeles, was in a medically induced coma Sunday as family, friends and doctors waited to see the extent of his brain injury.

A day earlier, doctors removed a portion of the Santa Cruz resident’s skull to reduce swelling.

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Stow, 42, and two friends went to Dodger Stadium on Thursday night to cheer for the Giants, who lost 2-1. As Stow and his friends were leaving the stadium, Stow was taunted and attacked by two men wearing Dodgers gear, Los Angeles police said.

They punched Stow in the back of his head, and after he fell to the pavement, they kicked him for about 15 seconds–continuing even after Stow lost consciousness, police said.

Stow was in critical condition Sunday at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Police are continuing to search for the suspects, described as two Latino men in their 20s, Los Angeles police Officer Cleon Joseph said.

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Stow, a father of two, grew up in the Santa Cruz area and worked in paving before becoming a paramedic, friends said. Passionate about his work, he mentored dozens of trainees.

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Donations to offset his medical costs can go to Commonwealth Central Credit Union, account No. 118881, P.O. Box 641690, San Jose CA 95164-1690.

Online resource

Colleagues have set up a website for the public to follow Bryan Stow’s progress: support4stow.blogspot.com.