A New Zealander paralysed in a surfing accident in Australia says the injury is his “worst nightmare”, but is vowing to beat the odds and walk again.
Johnny Konings, 31, was taking on the popular break at Duranbah on the Tweed Heads last Tuesday when a wipeout slammed him into a sandbar, breaking his spine and ribs, and leaving him with a collapsed lung.
Other surfers rushed to hold him above the water and carry him to shore, where he was taken to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital by air.
Experienced surfer Konings, who played football for Hamilton Wanderers and Ngāruawāhia United in New Zealand, had shifted to the Gold Coast with fiancee Charlotte Gordon and the pair were planning their wedding when the accident happened.
