Will Ponter was seriously injured after diving into a swimming pool on the final night of his holiday
A British man is back home after a horrific accident in Turkey paralysed him. His girlfriend said their ‘faith in humanity was restored’ as the family thanked the public for their support.
Will Ponter suffered life-changing injuries after diving into a swimming pool on the final night of his holiday. Echo reports his girlfriend Becky pulled him from the water before he was rushed to hospital for urgent treatment, according to his family.
The 24-year-old subsequently underwent a gruelling 13-hour emergency operation for a broken neck in Antalya. Doctors confirmed that as a result of his injuries he would be paralysed from the neck down.
His devastated family faced the enormous challenge of bringing him back to the UK while also meeting the costs of his medical bills in Turkey. A fundraiser was launched with a £150,000 target to help cover his medical care, repatriation and future needs, reports the Manchester Evening News.
That target has now been met and Will, who grew up in Holme, Cumbria, and now lives in Carnforth, Lancashire, was flown back to Britain by UK aeroplane ambulance charity Lia’s Wings. He made the journey home aboard a specialist air ambulance.
A spokesman for Lia’s Wings said: “After being contacted by Will’s family, Lia’s Wings arranged a specialist air ambulance to bring him safely back to the UK. Will arrived home on Sunday and is now in the care of specialist clinicians.
“This has been an extremely distressing time for his family, and we will continue to provide ongoing support for as long as they need us. We’re also deeply moved by the community support that has helped make his journey support possible.”
Charlotte Young, chief operating officer at Lia’s Wings, said: “Will, and his friends and family, have shown true bravery, and the kindness shown by the public continues to be truly life-changing for this family. We are glad Lia’s Wings could play our part in Will’s journey and will stay with his family for as long as they need us.”
Will’s girlfriend Becky Francey said everyone who donated had ‘really restored my faith in humanity. ‘ She revealed Will was stable in hospital in Lancaster following ‘a really long 10 days trying to get him back’ and would be transferred to the Royal Preston Hospital for further treatment.
She noted that visiting hours were more favourable there, meaning the family could spend considerably more time with him. They still ‘don’t know’ what lies ahead until he is no longer sedated and comes off ventilation so ‘they can assess the damage he’s done.
‘ “The doctors at Lancaster are amazing at keeping us informed,” Becky said. “Now we can just concentrate on letting the doctors do what they need to do.”
She added: “It is definitely a relief to be back in England but it’s also tough being home, I haven’t spent much time at our house because he’s not there. While he’s intubated, he can’t talk to me and I miss him so much.”
The fundraising page set up by Will’s relatives has collected £152,452.
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