A family released a picture today of their son lying in a hospital bed paralysed after a ''moment of madness'' when he tombstoned from a pier.
The loved ones of Sonny Wells, 20, gave the image to the media in the hope it would save someone else from making the same mistake.
Mr Wells has been told by doctors he will be paralysed from the chest down after he jumped from South Parade Pier in Southsea, Portsmouth at the weekend.
The keen footballer from Waterlooville, Hants, will be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life after he broke his neck in the 30 foot jump.
His mother Jacqui Unal, 42, said: ''We want to save somebody else. My son has lost his life in a moment of madness - he was so active.
''If we can stop someone else from tombstoning by releasing this picture then it will be a bonus.''
Mr Wells underwent an operation at Southampton General Hospital to stabilise his neck and he has regained some movement in his arms.
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His uncle Gary Wells said: ''After the operation he could move his arms so he is very, very lucky.
''They took a bone from his hip to put in his neck. They have put in two plates and six pins, and after they took the bits of bone from his vertebrae he managed to get his arms back - but the doctors have told him at the moment he will be paralysed from the chest down. But who knows what might happen in the future?
Sonny Wells at Southampton General Hospital
''But getting the movement in his arms has lifted his spirits. Last night he was saying 'I'm going to be a boxer'.''
The former soldier who served for two years in the Kings Royal Hussars asked doctors outright if he would walk again and they said no, his father Robert Wells said today.
Sonny Wells was out with friends in Southsea on Sunday when he ripped off his shirt and jumped off the pier - something he has done in the past.
He had to dragged from the water unconscious and airlifted by helicopter to Southampton General Neurological Unit.
Posted by: F Knight, Southampton on 11:24am Fri 16 May 08
I totally agree with Chris. All piers, cliffs, etc, should be inaccessible to people. I admire SOnny's folks but showign that picture is not a deterrent. Were there is a disabled ramp at these places, some nutters would still try to leap them. Instead, close them all off, all around the country and fine you heftily if you trespass. This guy had done this countless times before - well, I say he was lucky to escape before. This time, the guardian angels must have been on holiday.
I totally agree with Chris. All piers, cliffs, etc, should be inaccessible to people. I admire SOnny's folks but showign that picture is not a deterrent. Were there is a disabled ramp at these places, some nutters would still try to leap them. Instead, close them all off, all around the country and fine you heftily if you trespass. This guy had done this countless times before - well, I say he was lucky to escape before. This time, the guardian angels must have been on holiday.
I strongly disagree with the above posters. We can't solve every problem by reducing our freedoms. All piers should be inaccessible to people? What would be the point of them, then? Why should the we all be banned from going anywhere just because some people choose to take risks? Not to mention, of course, that if someone is willing to jump off a bridge for thrills, they're hardly likely to be deterred by a barrier. Wrapping the world up in cotton wool is not a solution
Sympathies go out to the guy
I strongly disagree with the above posters. We can't solve every problem by reducing our freedoms. All piers should be inaccessible to people? What would be the point of them, then? Why should the we all be banned from going anywhere just because some people choose to take risks? Not to mention, of course, that if someone is willing to jump off a bridge for thrills, they're hardly likely to be deterred by a barrier. Wrapping the world up in cotton wool is not a solution
[quote]My son has lost his life in a moment of madness - he was so active.[/quote]
I'm sorry but how exactly has he lost his life? He may be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life but he is still alive. I say it serves him right! Shouldn't of done something so stupid in the first place!
My son has lost his life in a moment of madness - he was so active.
I'm sorry but how exactly has he lost his life? He may be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life but he is still alive. I say it serves him right! Shouldn't of done something so stupid in the first place!
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