To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

JustGiving Page For Brit Paralysed On Waterslide Is Half Way To The Target

JustGiving Page For Brit Paralysed On Waterslide Is Half Way To The Target

The fundraising page dedicated to David Briffaut has raised over £40,000 of its £75,000 target

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

The JustGiving page dedicated to raising money for the British holidaymaker that has been left paralysed after coming down a waterslide has now passed the half way point.

David Briffaut, 23, was on holiday in Jávea on the Costa Blanca in Spain with his girlfriend and another couple when they decided to venture to the Aqualandia Waterpark in Benidorm.

What began as a fun day out ended in tragedy, when just days before he was due to travel home to Essex David suffered the horrific injuries.

David Briffaut has been left paralysed from the incident.
JustGiving

Now, the JustGiving page hoping to raise £75,000 ($93,000) to help the family has reached half way and currently stands at £40,005 ($49,700).

The money has been raised by 1,218 supporters after being set up just two days ago.

Speaking of David's progress, the page reads: "David is currently on life support in hospital in Alicante where he is expected to undergo more surgery and, once he is considered stable enough, arrangements will be made to fly him home to the UK by Air Ambulance.

"Our thoughts and our prayers are with David and his family, but we want to do so much more. These catastrophic injuries will mean that David will need life-long care.

David's Just Giving campaign is over halfway to its £75,000 target.
Just Giving/Amy Llambias

It went on: "His life has changed and so has the lives of those closest to him. His parents' home will need to be remodeled for disability access, specialized treatment and new treatments will need to be explored and of course so many other unforeseen expenses covered.

"In short we want to do everything within our capabilities to raise as much money as possible to enable David to get the best possible care and better his life in whatever way we can."

Speaking to the Daily Mail, David's mum Lorraine said: "We are living in every parent's nightmare.

"Our son went on holiday with his girlfriend and we have been told he might never walk again. All we can do now is pray that he can recover. He is sedated but is aware what has happened to him.

"David is getting fantastic care at the hospital, but we want to get him home to England as soon as he can be moved."

She added: "We are in the hands of the doctors and just have to wait and see. He is getting excellent care, but would like to bring him home as soon as possible.

"All we can do is pray and hope that there is some recovery. We have been told David cannot feel anything from the chest down. Sometimes these are injuries from which the body does recover and that is what we can hope for."

David's uncle refutes Aqualandia's version of events.
Aqualandia

A spokesman for Aqualandia told the Daily Mail that it is 'simply false' to suggest the ride is unsafe.

The spokesman said that before opening the park each season, an external company makes an exhaustive review of all the slides, and that park staff also check them every morning.

"Moreover, we have video footage which shows Mr Briffaut didn't follow the guidelines for Splash," the spokesman said.

"Aqualandia has a long, 34-year history and safety is out top priority. Our rules and recommendations are clearly displayed all [over] the park and must be adhered to by our visitors."

In a statement on behalf of the family, David's uncle Mark Pooley said: "We refute the park's version of events. You can see from the video that David used the ride in the normal manner like other holiday-makers pictured on the park's own website. Any suggestion that the family have indicated otherwise is false."

You can visit the JustGiving page and donate by clicking here.

Featured Image Credit: Aqualandia

Topics: News, benidorm, Spain