Former Brazil star's son, 19, who was left 'brain dead' after lorry crash on his way to first training session returns home to his family three months on from horror accident
In March, Pedro Severino, 19, was in the front passenger seat when the vehicle he was travelling in collided with a lorry on a motorway in Brazil.
The crash happened at 5.21am on Monday March 4, after which Severino was taken to hospital with a critical head injury.
He underwent neurosurgery at 10.50am, in a procedure that was successful however a doctor declared him 'brain dead' later that evening.
Now, three months on from the incident, his parents - including former footballer Lucas Severino, who played for Brazilian sides Botafogo and Athletico Paranaense - confirmed that the 19-year-old had finally returned home.
Taking to Instagram to announce the news, they wrote: 'Is there any doubt that there is God? Pedro is proof that he exists! Believe In God! Besides performing miracles, he puts people like angels, to help and encourage us!
Severino played for the Red Bull Bragantino U20 team and was driving to a training session
Everyone who prayed, everyone who fasted, everyone who made promises, everyone who met with God, everyone who cried, everyone who believed, everyone without exception of the hospital @unimedribeiraopreto who tirelessly didn't give up, even when the diagnosis was not favorable, thank you very much! You all saved Peter and our entire family!
'You were sent by God to protect us and renew our faith every day! Thank you, thank you! Now moving on to the next step! Rehab at home!'
In the same post, the family shared images of Pedro back in his family home and smiling alongside his father, mother, brother and sister.
One image showed showed Pedro with his father and brother out on the basketball court.
Lucas played for Brazil with the likes of Ronaldinho and Lucio at the 2000 Summer Olympics, but never received a full cap at international level.
Another footballer, Pedro Castro, 18, was in the back seat of the vehicle and was also taken to hospital as a result.
The teenagers were on their way to their club's training centre in Atibaia, north of Sao Paulo, when the crash happened.
Castro was discharged with minor injuries a few hours after arriving at the hospital in Americana, Brazil.
Both drivers involved in the accident were breathalysed but were not found to be under the influence of alcohol.
The footballers were returning from Ribeirao Preto, where they had been seeing family members.
Severino played for the Red Bull Bragantino U20 team and was driving to his first training session with the club, who compete in the Brazilian Serie A.
A statement from the Dr Waldemar Tebaldi Municipal Hospital said: 'For brain death to be confirmed, the patient must undergo a clinical exam by two different doctors, with at least an hour between their assessments, as well as an apnoea test and other supplementary exams.
'This process could take up to 24 hours after the protocol was started at 4:30pm. The hospital team is providing full support to the family during this difficult time.'
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