Australian man, 38, on his first overseas holiday is left paralysed from the chest down after diving headfirst into a shallow lagoon and shattering his spine

  • Sydney man Gilbert Sahyoun was left a quadriplegic after freak accident in US 
  • Mr Sahyoun was at a family reunion in North Carolina when he dived into lagoon
  • The lagoon was shallow and murky which caused Mr Sahyoun to land badly 
  • As a result he was left a quadriplegic and needs help to get home to Australia  

By Adam Mccleery For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 01:43 EDT, 16 October 2018 | Updated: 01:43 EDT, 16 October 2018

A holiday and family reunion turned to horror when a man on his first overseas trip was left a quadriplegic after diving headfirst into a shallow lagoon.

Sydney man Gilbert Sahyoun, 38, had taken his mother to the United States, for a family reunion in August when the life changing incident occurred, 7 News reported. 

Relatives from Lebanon, Australia and the United States came together in North Carolina for the family reunion. 

Sydney man Gilbert Sahyoun (pictured) was left a quadriplegic after a freak accident during a family reunion in the United States 

Sydney man Gilbert Sahyoun (pictured) was left a quadriplegic after a freak accident during a family reunion in the United States 

The family had gathered at the lagoon on Pamlico Sound, and were having a friendly game of volleyball in the shallow water.

Mr Sahyoun dived head first into the lagoon to retrieve the ball and did not realise the depth and as a result hit the bottom hard, shattering his C5 vertebra. 

His cousin, Christine Sahyoun, told 7 News the family were left devastated after the accident. 

'The water was dark and murky so he couldn’t tell how shallow it was, his mum’s been sent home to Sydney, she can’t cope. She just wants to get him home, he just wants to go home,' she said.

'We’re all devastated.' 

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help get Mr Sahyoun home from the United states. 

Mr Sahyoun dived head first into the lagoon on Pamlico Sound (pictured) to retrieve the ball and did not realise the depth and as a result hit the bottom hard (file photo)

Mr Sahyoun dived head first into the lagoon on Pamlico Sound (pictured) to retrieve the ball and did not realise the depth and as a result hit the bottom hard (file photo)

Mr Sahyoun is described by family as a caring, loving and generous man and as the provider for his family which includes his sister and mother

Mr Sahyoun is described by family as a caring, loving and generous man and as the provider for his family which includes his sister and mother

'Gilbert dove into the Sound to join them (his family) and his world changed forever. His spine shattered at his C5 vertebra,' the GoFundMe reads. 

'Tragically, Gilbert is now quadriplegic, paralysed from the chest down and unable to use his hands, which makes his goal of returning home particularly complicated and expensive.'

The family found themselves in dire straights when they discovered that Mr Sahyoun's medical insurance would not cover his care in the United States. 

'He desperately needs to return home, not only for medical treatment which will be covered in Australia, but to be near his family. Medical air transportation costs to Sydney alone are $200,000,' the page continues. 

Family have been at his bedside showing their support with some even lighting candles in prayer for his health and safety (pictured)

Family have been at his bedside showing their support with some even lighting candles in prayer for his health and safety (pictured)

'Without these funds, Gilbert is at risk of being transferred to a nursing home in the U.S. where he will not receive the care and intense rehabilitation he needs during this critical time.' 

Mr Sahyoun is described by family as a caring, loving and generous man and as the provider for his family which includes his sister and mother. 

'We, his family, appreciate any support you give to Gilbert more than we can say,' the GoFundMe statement read.  

All the funds raised by GoFund me will go towards getting Mr Sahyoun home to his family and the care he needs.

 

 

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Australian man on first overseas trip is left a quadriplegic after diving headfirst into lagoon

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