BRIAN HARVEY - HARVEY HAS TRACHEOTOMY

LATEST: British pop star BRIAN HARVEY has undergone a throat operation to help him breathe as he lies in a "controlled coma" following his car accident last week (31MAY05).

The former EAST 17 singer sustained a broken leg, a shattered pelvis, severe abdominal injuries and fluid-filled lungs after he was crushed beneath the wheels of his Mercedes car, outside his Walthamstow, London home in the early hours of 31 May (05).

After initial treatment at local Whipps Cross Hospital, he was transferred to St George's Hospital in south London.

His manager SIMON HARRISON says Harvey underwent a tracheotomy on Wednesday (08JUN05) to assist his breathing and help drain the fluid from his lungs, but added the procedure was "more precautionary than emergency".

Harrison says, "He's still in intensive care, he's still on a ventilator helping him breathe. It's a very, very slow process. He hasn't moved, he hasn't spoken, and he's been unconscious all this time."

Harvey, who is suffering from clinical depression, was rushed to hospital last month (MAY05) after he collapsed at his home following an alleged overdose of sleeping tablets.

In April (05) he was treated in a rehabilitation clinic for depression, but denied press reports he had attempted suicide.