A father of two has been left paralysed from the neck down following a freak paddling pool accident.
Simon Cooper, described as ‘the most down-to-earth guy you will ever meet’, was spending time with his family in his sister-in-law’s garden on Friday, May 29.
It is understood that the 41-year-old lost his footing on water-soaked grass and fell into a shallow children’s paddling pool.
Simon Cooper, pictured, with his family, broke his neck after tripping over a children’s paddling pool while visiting his sister-in-law’s house in Hampshire on May
Mr Cooper, pictured taking part in a strong man competition, has been paralysed from the neck down after slipping over on May 29
Mr Cooper, pictured with his wife Leanne, was within two years or retiring from the army
After immediately losing consciousness and being pulled out of the pool, he was taken by ambulance to hospital where he was found to have broken a bone in his neck and severed his spinal cord.
His heartbroken family have been told Simon, who has spent 20 years in the British Army, will be paralysed from the neck down for life.
‘He’s such an active guy and he’s done a lot in the military, serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and Bosnia,’ said his brother Mike Cooper, 43, who lives in Tonna, Neath Port Talbot.
‘He’s also spent most of his life as an active body builder where he competed in strongman competitions.
‘So for something like this to happen – a freak accident – it’s tough to take.’
Mr Cooper was taken to Southampton General Hospital where he was found to have broken his C4 vertebrae near the base of his neck. He had also fractured his skull.
He was placed on a ventilator to help him breathe and at one point needed a life support machine.
‘That first weekend was terrible for all the family,’ recalled Mike.
His family initially feared Mr Cooper would not survive his injuries after he was put on a ventilator in hospital to assist his breathing
Mr Cooper, pictured, may be able to receive specialist treatment in an army rehabilitation hospital
‘When we found out he was put on life support we all just broke down. We didn’t know if he was going to survive.’
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, only Mr Cooper’s wife Leanne, and his two children, aged 16 and 18, have been able to visit.
‘We have been able to do Zoom and Facetime with him, which is something,’ added Mike, who has served in the Navy for many years.
‘Luckily we have been told that there is no brain damage, but he’s still only able to groan and mumble as he has a tube down his throat.
‘He’s able to move his head and shoulders – and give us a smile.’
The family, who have a strong military background, say they are determined to look at the positives from this awful accident.
‘We are a military-orientated family and we like challenges, so we’re well for it,’ added Mike, who said his brother had reached the rank of warrant officer level one and was two years away from retirement.
Mr Cooper, who lives in Chippenham, Wiltshire, but was in Gosport, Hampshire, at the time of the accident, can now breathe independently for short periods off the ventilator. But it is thought he will never have movement in the top or lower half of his body again.
His family have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help adapt his home, which will require significant remodelling to help him live with his new circumstances
Mr Cooper’s brother Mike said: ‘He has this big body builder look to him and all these tattoos, but he’s the kindest, loveliest guy – and the most down-to-earth man you will ever meet’
He will now need significant adaptations to his home once he is discharged from hospital.
A GoFundMe campaign set up by Mike five days ago has already raised just shy of £15,000. To donate please go to www.gofundme.com/f/simon039s-home-modification-fund
‘It’s unbelievable how quickly this has been raised. No-one has even started on organising fundraising events yet,’ said Mike.
‘He has so many friends in the military from across the country.
‘He has this big body builder look to him and all these tattoos, but he’s the kindest, loveliest guy – and the most down-to-earth man you will ever meet.’
It is hoped Mr Cooper will be transferred to a military recovery unit in Leicester as he continues to make improvements.