A former regional journalist left with a severe brain injury after being attacked in the street has been moved to a new hospital for specialist treatment.

Gary Carter, who has been fighting for his life after being attacked in London, has been transferred to Cambridge’s Papworth Hospital for further treatment.

The former Manchester Evening News and Lancashire Telegraph reporter was left critically ill in an induced coma after being assaulted in a street in Bethnal Green in the early hours of Friday morning.

The freelance sports writer was in London to cover England’s rugby league test Match against New Zealand at the weekend.

He is now undergoing treatment with a specialist ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) machine. having moved to Papworth on Tuesday.

The machine oxygenates a patient’s blood while supporting their breathing. There are only a few centres around England with the state-of-the-art equipment.

Gary, left, with wife Gemma

Gary’s wife Gemma has been keeping a round-the-clock hospital bedside vigil with other members of his family since the attack.

She told the MEN: “Today has been a very difficult day for our family. Gaz has put in the biggest fight and has been transferred to Papworth Hospital in Cambridge for ECMO treatment but he remains in a very critical condition.

“Our family would like to take this opportunity to thank every single medic at London Royal Hospital for getting Gaz to this stage of his journey. The team are truly amazing.

“Please keep your support coming for Gaz – my number 1 man is getting the number 1 treatment he deserves.”

James Flanagan, 35, from Kentish Town, London, pleaded guilty to GBH when he appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court.

He was bailed and will be sentenced on November 24 at Snaresbrook Crown Court.