A British holidaymaker has been told he could be paralysed from the neck down after breaking his neck while diving into a swimming pool.
Will Ponter, 24, suffered the devastating injury on the final night of a holiday in Turkey with girlfriend Becky Francey.
His family said Becky pulled him from the water before he was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment.
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Will underwent a “risky” 13-hour operation and remains in intensive care, with doctors warning he could be paralysed from the neck down.
His devastated loved ones are now desperately trying to bring him home to England, but say medically staffed transport could cost around £40,000.
They are also reportedly facing charges of £2,000 for every day Will remains in intensive care in Turkey.
The family said they did not have the correct insurance to cover all the costs and could also face huge bills for specialist equipment and adaptations to his home.
“We don’t have exact costs because he is not yet fit to fly,” Julia Savege, Will’s mum, told Need To Know.
“Repatriation alone could be in the region of £40,000
“Medical costs ICU etc are climbing daily.
“We just don’t know.”
Will was raised in Holme, Cumbria, and now lives in Carnforth, Lancashire, with Becky.
Julia described her son as a “larger-than-life character” who is “cheeky and full of fun”.
She said: “He and his partner Rebecca are so joyful together and we are very close as a family.
“We are lucky to have marvellous support from home, people holding music nights, quizzes and other fundraising events.
“Myself, his dad and Rebecca are here in Turkey with him and are confident that he is in good care.
“We can’t wait to have him home, back with the rest of the family and his large circle of friends who miss him so much.”
Will’s parents have travelled to Turkey to be by his side, while Becky has been liaising with hospitals and insurance companies in England.
A family-approved fundraiser has now been launched with a £150,000 target to help cover his medical care, repatriation and future needs.
The fundraising page reads: “This accident was a split second of tragedy that has now reshaped the entire future of a young man who is only 24 years old.
“It is life-changing. Heartbreaking.
“Will has a long road to recovery and the end goal of ‘recovered’ is still uncertain of what that looks like.
“But he has family, and love and support.”
The appeal also lays bare the family’s hopes for Will’s recovery.
It added: “In my mind, I imagine Will being able to wrap his arms around his mum and give her a hug.
“Or to go shooting with his dad – stories he speaks of often – and to be able to plan a joyful future with Becky.”
Julia shared the appeal on Facebook, describing Will as her “baby boy”.
Family friend Vicki McFarlane also urged people to support the family, saying Will had his “whole life ahead of him”.
She wrote: “They have a huge journey ahead of them and I’d like to help them as much as I can.”
The fundraiser ends: “We are all focusing on being positive, and praying for a recovery that may seem miraculous.
“But as the saying goes, ‘Where there’s a Will, there’s a way’.”
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