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Ben Franklin Bridge Goes Blue In Honor Of Boy On Life Support In South Jersey

He collapsed after being hit by a thrown baseball.

| Updated
(Credit: Delaware River Port Authority)

CAMDEN, NJ — The Ben Franklin Bridge glowed blue on Wednesday night in honor of a 12-year-old boy who was seriously injured in a baseball game.

Xavier Taylor, of Maple Shade, was hit in the neck by a thrown baseball while warming up with a teammate on May 26, and collapsed at Fellowship Columbia Bank Field.

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He was flown to Cooper Hospital, where he remains on life support, according to ABC, after what his family called a "tragic freak accident" that left him in cardiac arrest.

(Credit: Bloomfield-Glen Ridge Little League)

"It is a small reminder to his family, friends, and teammates that he is not alone," the Delaware River Port Authority said of the Ben Franklin turning to "Taylor blue" on Wednesday night.

"The entire region is by your side!" the Port Authority added.

In the days following the accident, the support for Taylor has poured in not only locally but from across the baseball world.

RELATED COVERAGE: Support Surges For NJ Boy Gravely Injured By Baseball To The Head

The social media hashtag #BatsOutForXavier has led individuals, municipal agencies, and others to leave a baseball bat outside their doors in a show of solidarity.

(Credit: Haddon Fire Company)
(Credit: Salem Little League)

The Philadelphia Phillies, with a visit from Garrett Stubbs, and the Tampa Bay Rays were among the franchises in the baseball community to rally around the boy.

So far, more than $119,500 has been raised to support the family with meals during the hope for recovery.

MORE FROM PATCH: 11-Year-Old Boy Hit By Car At School In South Jersey, Police Say

HAVE A STORY IDEA OR NEWS TO SHARE? Contact Editor Eddie Callahan at edward.callahan@patch.com to connect with Patch in your area.

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