FORMER national Under-20 football captain Andre Darby was still unconscious yesterday following a two-vehicle accident on the Hellshire Road on Sunday night.

Darby, 20, who plays defence for Portmore United, remained in intensive care at the University Hospital of the West Indies after suffering head injuries and is currently wearing a neck brace.

Constable Michael Llewellyn of the Greater Portmore Police Station told the Observer the details of the report were not completed, but confirmed the accident occurred approximately 200 metres from the Fort Clarence round-about.

“I know it involved two cars — a Nissan Note and a Mark II (Toyota) — with persons from both vehicles injured,” said Llewellyn.

Trevin Nairne, general manager of Portmore United, told the Observer minutes after visiting Darby yesterday, where he had to wait for over an hour for information, that the doctors remained optimistic.

Said Nairne: “I went up there and he is in the Intensive Care Unit and they will be keeping him there for a little while and wait until he is stabilised a little more before doing a CAT scan.”

According to Nairne, Darby — who lives in Naggo Head — was on his way to a party on the beach where he was one of the promoters.

“I was told he was putting on a party at Sugarman Beach and after fixing up the venue, he went home and while on his way back the accident occurred.”

Darby captained Jamaica’s Under-20 team to within a whisker of qualifying for the 2009 FIFA Under-20 World Cup Finals in Egypt after needing only a draw against Honduras, but lost 0-4.

The former Waterford High Manning Cupper is one of the most promising centre in the island and his injury could be a major setback for Portmore United as he could be out for a while.

“He was an integral part of last year’s team and one of our better defenders. He is a very jovial person and very dedicated; he’s one of those players who will improve to the level where he will get sold overseas,” noted Nairne.

Darby was a part of the national Under-21 training camp that was recently preparing for the July CAC Games before the football tournament was scrapped due to a lack of suitable facilities.

The Jamaican training squad had been in preparation for participation in this tournament since May 18.