EXCLUSIVE: Construction worker Ardi Balliu, 27, has been left fighting for his life after a tragic holiday accident at a stunning beach in Marbella, Spain, which left him with a broken spine
A man described as the ‘life of any party’ will never walk again after shattering his spine when he dived into the sea on holiday and didn’t come back up.
Ardi Balliu, from Northampton, was days into his trip in Marbella in Spain’s Costa Del Sol when he and a friend decided to head for beauty spot Calo d’es Moro in Santanyi. The incredible cove is popular with tourists due to its turquoise waters and golden sands.
But when Ardi dived head-first into the water, his pal was left panicking when the 27-year-old failed to surface. Screaming for help, he begged strangers for aid as other swimmers helped raise him and take the man to the shore. Ardi told the group he could not feel his legs as he lay on the beach before being taken to hospital by air ambulance.
The construction worker is now fighting for his life as his frantic family tries to raise money to bring him home. An incredible £34,000 has already been pledged as his terrified cousin Ingrid Kaca says he has a long road ahead.
She told the Mirror: “He is currently in a critical state, he is on life support as he is unable to breathe by himself. We have been told that he is going to never be able to walk again and with a high chance that he will be fully paralysed. He is currently on a lot of medication, and is still unconscious.
“Ardi dived into the water head-first and did not come back up. His friend who was with him asked for help from people nearby, they helped him out and he was then rescued by an air ambulance. He broke his C1 vertebrate and four other parts of his spine.
“A lot of family members and friends have gone over to Mallorca to be in the hospital by Ardi’s side. It is a shock, he is 27 and active, everyone is very worried – we are devastated. Words can’t describe how heartbroken everyone is.
“He is an amazing and loving individual – a supportive friend and family member. Ardi loves to travel and explore different places and loves to have fun. He is the life of the party, he loves his fitness and is such caring and genuine person. We’re heartbroken and so so worried.”
Monday’s tragic accident has left the family facing an uncertain future as they come to terms with their new life. Accepting he may require around-the-clock care perhaps for the rest of his life, they are in need of support as they try to get him back to Northamptonshire.
“There has been little to no improvement in the past few days,” Ingrid added. “The doctors have said that they are going to wait for his drugs to leave his body and then they will be able to assess how much he can breathe alone and whether he is able to undergo surgery where they will insert a tube which will assist his breathing.
“However they are unsure if they are able to undergo the surgery until they know if he is able to breathe without the support. I have not flown out, but my parents have flown out as have a lot of other family members. I am getting live updates from my parents and his mum, my aunt, who is out there.
“We have taken the decision to raise funds on GoFundMe and the response has so far been incredible. The money will be to help with the medical bills as they will need to transport him to the UK. The funds will also support future care such as home adaptation. It will also relieve the financial stress on the family so they can focus entirely on being by Ardi’s side.”
To donate, visit the family’s GoFundMe page here.
