A dad left paralysed from the neck down while celebrating the New Year recalls seeing a 'very bright light' as he lay motionless under water.
Dan Richards broke his neck instantaneously while cold water swimming on New Year's Eve.
The 35-year-old had dove head first into a water at Langland Bay, near Swansea, and instantly knew something was wrong.
Advert
Dan says he was 'paralysed instantly' due to the ferocity of the wave.
But before calling for help, he said he remembers hearing a 'loud noise [and] a very bright light'.
He opened his eyes under the water where he could see his body and limbs but had zero control over them.
He held his breath until his partner Anna Thomas, her mother, and a family friend were able to save him from the water.
Earlier that day he had moved in with Thomas, who said her 'world fell apart' after hearing the extent of Dan's injuries.
Advert
She told Sky News: "It was New Year's Eve and it was early but I could hear people laughing and joking in the rooms next to me and I just thought I've just been told this news, how on Earth am I going to ring his parents to tell them?
"And then my second thought was obviously to Hailey, Dan's daughter."
On the wave that broke his neck, Dan said: "It just rotated me, so instead of me coming up, it took me down and the back of my head hit the sand, with my momentum going forward.
"And just the power of the wave hitting me down, it broke my neck so I was paralysed instantly."
Advert
Anna has since established a GoFundMe in the hopes of raising some vital money to go towards supporting Dan and to give him 'the best quality of life possible'.
With a target of £50,000, more than £33,000 has currently been donated by more than 1,000 people.
In an update on the fundraising page, Anna wrote: "After what’s been a very difficult week with Dan being told he has a bloody clot in his groin we have some exciting news, Dan moved his toe today!
"It may seem small but this is positive progress. Dans determination and mindset continue to impress us all... he’s not able to do this all the time but there was definite movement which he was trying to achieve.
Advert
"We thank you all for everything as now not only is Dan pushing for himself and his family he’s doing this for everyone who has donated or shared the post.
"We couldn’t be more grateful."
You can donate to the GoFundMe here.
Tom Earnshaw