A British father-of-two has been left quadriplegic after snapping his spine in a freak accident as he dived into the sea while on holiday in Ibiza.

David Hayes, 37, spent almost three weeks in a coma following the 'incomprehensible' accident on July 11 and is permanently paralysed from the chest down.

The father, from Torquay, Devon, had arranged the family holiday after his wife Elly, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is currently undergoing radiotherapy.

Mr Hayes inhaled salt water, which led to pneumonia and a collapsed lung, while in the sea and relied on a ventilator to breathe in the hours after the accident.

He broke his vertebrae in his neck and damaged sections of his spinal cord before undergoing surgery, receiving a titanium and artificial bone cylinder to stabilise his neck, in a Spanish hospital.

Doctors and surgeons said there is no chance of him regaining any movement, but his family remain 'extremely hopeful'.

The father was originally transferred to the intensive care unit at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth before moving to Salisbury Spinal Treatment Centre, where he is receiving specialist rehabilitation.

He will require 24-hour medical care rehabilitation for life and significant adaptations to his home.

David Hayes, 37, is permanently paralysed from the chest down after suffering a freak accident while on holiday in Ibiza

The father was originally transferred to the intensive care unit at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth before moving to Salisbury Spinal Treatment Centre

The father, from Torquay, Devon, had arranged the family holiday after his wife Elly, was diagnosed with breast cancer

'We remain extremely hopeful of a miracle through intensive rehabilitation and advancements in medical science, a GoFundMe fundraiser for the couple says.

Since the accident, the father has made 'excellent progress' and is breathing on his own for 'long stints' off the ventilator. He can also chew and digest some solid foods.

'On Friday 11th July 2025, David sustained a life changing spinal cord injury whilst on holiday in Ibiza with his wife Elly and their two children,' the fundraiser adds.

'In another exceptionally cruel twist of fate, Elly has recently been diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer.

'The holiday was an opportunity for some precious family time, before Elly was due to begin her cancer treatment.

'David has been making excellent progress. He is breathing on his own for long stints off the ventilator.

'This is fantastic news as damage to the C3-C5 section of the spinal cord can impair control of the diaphragm, however, he continues to experience weakened respiratory function. He can also now chew and digest some solid foods.'

The fundraiser adds: 'Her (Elly's) strength and resilience is remarkable. David will require 24-hour medical care and rehabilitation for the rest of his life and vast adaptations to his home, which is only part subsidised by the government.

'We are fundraising to ensure that David has the best quality of life, with access to first-rate care, high quality therapies and the latest in assistive technologies.'

Brit father-of-two, 37, is left quadriplegic after snapping his spine