A teen is paralysed from the chest down after breaking his neck in a life-changing accident.
Matthew Haylett, 17, was swimming with friends at Perth’s Mullaloo Beach on Saturday when he dived headfirst into a sandbar.
The sports loving teen, who currently can’t breathe on his own, remains in Royal Perth Hospital’s intensive care unit.
Doctors expect Matthew to spend at least a year in hospital and several more undergoing rehabilitation.
Despite his uncertain future, Matthew remains optimistic and is determined to prove doctors wrong.
‘The first thing he said to me was ‘I’m OK mum, I’m good. Don’t be upset, I’m OK. I’m going to be fine,’ his mum told Seven News.
‘He’s so stubborn.
‘They (the doctors) said to him, ‘… do you understand what’s going on?’. He said, ‘I’m walking in six months’.’
Matthew Haylett (pictured) has been paralysed from the chest down by a freak accident at Mullaloo Beach
Megan Larson (pictured) fought back tears as she recalled her son’s horrific accident
Matthew was a healthy and fit teen before his life changed in the blink of an eye.
Camden Atfield, who had dived into the water with Matthew at the time, recalled how he had to carry his paralysed mate back to shore.
‘I think when the waves came back he just started screaming,’ he said.
He was completely paralysed. He was like, ‘I can’t move’.’
He and his friend’s mum shared an emotional embrace during the interview.
‘You saved his life, Cam, and I am eternally grateful,’ Ms Larson told him.
She urged swimmers to be wary of the many sandbars along the West Australian coast in the hope a similar tragedy can be avoided.
‘I’d give my soul to take his place,’ she said.
Matthew Haylett (left) was a fit and healthy teen before his life changed forever on Saturday
Matthew (pictured surrounded by loved ones) remains on life support in Royal Perth Hospital’s intensive care unit
‘I just want the best future for him, whatever that might look like.’
A GoFundMe page has been set up for Matthew’s long road to recovery, which has already raised almost $15,000.
‘Matthew needs many more tests going forward and his road to recovery is very long,’ the fundraiser states.
‘Megan won’t be able to work for some time while she supports Matthew, he obviously won’t be working for a very long time.
‘Medical and rehabilitation equipment will be expensive, parking at the hospital is awful, the list is endless!’
Matthew has told his mum Megan (right) that he’s determined to walk again, despite being paralysed
Matthew’s accident occurred at the same beach where a man aged in his 50s was left paralysed while body surfing three years ago.
Mullaloo, along with nearby City and Floreat beaches are regarded as high risk areas for shallow sandbars and strong currents
A hazard warning remains in place at Mullaloo.
‘This is one of the higher energy Perth beaches with usually waves breaking across the attached bar and rips forming during and following periods of higher waves,’ Western Australian Surf Life Saving states on its website.
