Man left paralysed after suffering freak accident on holiday

Michael Wells ‘felt his neck break’ after jumping off a paddleboard at Lake Balaton while recently visiting Hungary for a family vacation.

The "highly-talented" 28-year-old, who was born in Glasgow, had just graduated from the University of Strathclyde with a Master's degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering before the tragic incident.

He was due to start his dream job at a large energy company just two weeks after the accident but has now been forced to give the position up.

It comes as he has now “forever” lost all sensation and movement in his arms, hands, legs, and body below the level of his shoulders.

Michael who was always “outdoorsy” and “loved adventure” is now trying to adapt to his new life.

His sister, Seòna Wells, said she is devastated that he can no longer “give his signature bear hugs” as his “life changed forever in an instant”.

She said: “Michael has been incredibly strong in the face of his paralysis.

“In the first days after his injury, while processing the immense shock of what happened to him, he was mostly concerned about how others in the family were coping, which so well illustrates his brave and caring spirit.

“Our amazing, adventurous brother’s life changed forever in an instant. No longer able to climb, swim and explore.

“No longer able to make pizza dough, dance while bellowing songs, or give his signature bear hugs.

“No longer able to do the things he loved.

“It was a terrifying experience for him, which he remembers well.

“He later said that he heard and felt his neck break when he hit his head on the bottom.”

Michael was in Hungary for his cousin's wedding and had gone paddlingboarding the next day with his family at their “favourite swimming spot”.

He was sharing a board with his mum when he dived into the deceptively shallow water from a kneeling position around 50 metres from the shore.

He immediately knew he was paralysed after hitting his head and feared he would drown because he could not move his arms or legs.

His twin brother, David Wells, 28, noticed something was wrong after Michael then floated to the surface of the water.

He jumped in and grabbed him, pulling him onto the paddleboard and dragging him ashore.

Michael was then given CPR by his parents before an emergency helicopter arrived and paramedics took over.

He was airlifted to an intensive care unit in a hospital with neurosurgical facilities 100km to the north, in a city called Győr.

Medics gave him emergency surgery to put a metal plate in his neck with the aim to stabilise the fracture and prevent further damage.

Michael spent 12 days in intensive care which saved his life and stabilised him for medical transfer.

Although he did not have travel insurance, his UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) covered his emergency care in Hungary and his family were able to arrange and pay for a medical repatriation company to fly him back to Scotland.

On September 16 he was flown to Glasgow and admitted to the National Spinal Injuries Unit at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

His brain is fortunately undamaged and he now faces a long road ahead before the possibility of getting back home.

His family are focusing on helping Michael adapt to his new life and are fundraising to get special equipment to give him as much independence as possible.

Seòna said: “Despite everything, Michael has such a strong will to survive, and with the support of his family and friends there is little doubt that he will not just survive but go on to live a fulfilling life.

“He has been through so much already and his journey is only just beginning.

“Michael has varied interests and hobbies which he enjoyed before his injury, many of which will be crucial in keeping his positivity and quality of life going forward.

“He is no longer able to do many of the things he loved but is desperate to keep the outdoors as a part of his future.

“Providing him with wheelchair-accessible transport and specially adapted wheelchairs are some of the ways to make this possible.

“Michael is a keen gamer and can’t wait to get back to being able to play games with his family and friends.

“Although he will not be able to interact with video games in the same way, there are tools designed and being developed for people with quadriplegia who have no hand movement.

“This technology enables people with Michael’s disability to play video games using alternative controls.

“Giving Michael access to these tools will help to ensure he is able to continue doing some of the things he loves.”

His siblings have set up a GoFundMe to help pay for the specialised equipment and accessible activities to greatly help to provide Michael with a better quality of life.

You can donate to their appeal here.

Professor Anthony Gachagan, Head of Strathclyde’s Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering:“We are shocked and saddened to hear of the accident involving Michael Wells and of the injury he has suffered.

"During his time at Strathclyde, Michael was a highly talented student and he is highly qualified for a career in engineering.

“Our thoughts are with Michael and his family and we wish him the very best in his rehabilitation.”