What was supposed to be a precious family getaway to Ibiza turned into a life-altering tragedy for 37-year-old David Hayes from Torquay, Devon.
The father-of-two, who had planned the holiday as a chance to make memories with his wife Elly and their children before she began breast cancer treatment, is now facing permanent paralysis after a devastating accident.
A Freak Accident in the Sea
On July 11, David dived into the sea during the trip and suffered catastrophic injuries.
He snapped his spine, breaking vertebrae in his neck and damaging his spinal cord.
The accident left him quadriplegic, paralyzed from the chest down.
To make matters worse, he inhaled salt water, which led to pneumonia and a collapsed lung, forcing him to rely on a ventilator to stay alive in the hours after the incident.
Weeks in a Coma and Life-Saving Surgery
David spent nearly three weeks in a coma as doctors worked to save him.
Surgeons in Spain fitted him with a titanium and artificial bone cylinder to stabilize his neck.
Although the medical team made it clear that he has no chance of regaining movement, his family refuses to give up hope and continue to believe in the possibility of progress through rehabilitation and advances in medical science.
From Intensive Care to Rehabilitation
After his condition stabilized, David was flown back to the UK, where he was first admitted to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.
He has since been moved to the Salisbury Spinal Treatment Centre, where he is now receiving specialist rehabilitation.
His family say he will need round-the-clock care for the rest of his life, along with major adaptations to their home.
Glimmers of Progress
Despite the grim prognosis, David has shown small but significant signs of progress.
He is now able to breathe on his own for longer periods without the ventilator — a huge step given that damage to the C3-C5 section of the spinal cord can impair diaphragm control.
He can also chew and digest some solid foods, offering the family a glimmer of hope amid the hardship.
A Double Struggle for the Family
As if the situation weren’t already overwhelming, Elly, David’s wife, is battling her own health crisis.
Recently diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer, she is undergoing radiotherapy while also caring for her husband and their two children.
The holiday that was meant to give them a moment of joy before treatment has instead left the family in the middle of two heartbreaking challenges.
The Fight Ahead
A fundraiser has been launched to support David and Elly, aiming to give David access to high-quality therapies, first-rate care, and assistive technologies that can improve his quality of life.
His family describes Elly’s strength as “remarkable,” and while the journey ahead is daunting, they remain focused on hope and resilience.