THE Gravesend port worker remains critically ill in hospital – three-and-a-half weeks after being crushed by a 40-tonne boat.

Father-of-two Michael Russell suffered the life threatening injuries after becoming trapped between the barge and the pier at Denton Wharf, Mark Lane on January 18.

The 36-year-old sustained a fractured pelvis, along with chest and abdominal injuries and was taken by the air ambulance’s rapid response car to the Royal London Hospital where he remains.

Martin Garside, his colleague and friend at the Port of London Authority, said: “Everyone here knows and admires Michael – all our thoughts and hopes remain with him and his family.”