I was left instantly paralysed when a cold water sea swim went wrong - it's been a 'living nightmare' for my family
- Dan Richards, 35, from Swansea, was paralysed during a cold water sea swim
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A man who was left paralysed after an accident during a cold water sea swim wants to warn others about how quickly things can go wrong.
Dan Richards, 35, from Swansea, decided to go for a dip with his partner Anna Thomas, 38, at Langland Bay on New Year's Eve and was 'instantly paralysed' after diving into a wave and breaking his neck.
Speaking to BBC he said: 'We were just going for a cold-water dip, I got into about thigh level, I dived into the wave - a shallow dive, and the wave just dropped.
'It rotated me, the back of my head hit the sand. Bright light, loud noise. I was instantly paralysed.'
Dan Richards, 35, from Swansea, was paralysed during a cold water sea swim and now he wants to warn others how fast things can go wrong
Keen surfer Dan plunged himself into a wave as he had done many times before but the wave rotated his body, causing the back of his head to hit the sand and break his neck.
Unable to feel his arms or legs and in a state of shock, the gas engineer focused on his breathing, until he could lift his head to call out for help.
Anna said she noticed Dan had got into difficulty but initially thought it was a joke before he started to shout for help.
Dan was airlifted to Bristol's Southmead Hospital, where he underwent life-saving surgery on his neck.
He was later moved to Morriston Hospital in Swansea, where he has been for the past three weeks.
Dan said he still can't understand how things went so wrong because the water conditions 'weren't the worst.'
He warned others that 'little things can go wrong' and cause big problems at a second's notice.
He hopes that sharing his story will help to raise awareness about the potential dangers of the sea.
Dan decided to go for a dip with his partner Anna Thomas, 38, (left) at Langland Bay on New Year's Eve
Dan was airlifted to Bristol's Southmead Hospital, where he underwent life saving surgery on his neck
The couple set up a GoFundMe to raise money for Dan's rehabilitation which could take two years - or could even be lifelong
Anna, (right) who has been spending her days in the hospital with Dan, added that it is going to an 'expensive' journey
Dan, who is an experienced surfer and diver, hopes that sharing his story will help to raise awareness about the potential dangers of the sea
Dan was told his rehabilitation could take two years - or could even be lifelong.
He said that he is remaining positive and determined about the future, despite having mixed opinions on his rehabilitation journey from doctors.
The couple have been researching stem-cell treatments and private rehabilitation centres.
Anna, who has been spending her days in the hospital with Dan, added that it is going to an 'expensive' journey but they are not sure how long it is going to take.
She said the accident still doesn't feel real and it has been like 'living in a nightmare.'
