A young Greek tourist is unlikely to walk again after a life-changing accident at an Aussie beach.
Ioannis Vidiniotis, 28, from Athens, was swimming with his cousins at Perth's Cottesloe Beach on New Year's Eve when he dived into the water and hit his head on a sandbank.
Suffering a broken collarbone and several spinal fractures, he was found by his cousin face down in the water, unresponsive.
Mr Vidiniotis was pulled to the shore, where he was resuscitated by lifeguards and an off-duty anaesthetist.
He was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital, where he underwent emergency five-hour spinal surgery.
Mr Vidiniotis had arrived in Perth on holidays to visit relatives just two days earlier.
A fortnight later, he remains in intensive care, where he's expected to stay for another 6-8 weeks.
He currently has no movement in his legs and is unable to close his hands.
The local Greek community has rallied around Mr Vidiniotis and his parents, who have made the mercy dash from Greece to be by his side.
'Doctors have advised that once stabilised, he will face an agonising six-month rehabilitation program, focused on intensive physiotherapy and neurological recovery,' Hellenic Community of Western Australia said in a statement.
'Medical specialists have now confirmed the severity of Ioannis' injuries, advising the family that his chance of walking again is less than five per cent.'
A fundraiser has been set up to support his long road to recovery.
'The severity of Ioannis' injuries has placed an extraordinary financial burden on him and his family,' the page states.
'The costs associated with prolonged ICU care, specialist treatment, rehabilitation in Australia are overwhelming.'
The accident has sparked a public plea from Mr Vidiniotis' family for everyone to take care at the beach this summer.
'Ioannis went into the water feeling safe - the next I saw him floating face down. None of us could have imagined how quickly everything would change,' his cousin Aristea Kazantzidou recalled.
The tourist's chances of walking again are less than five per cent, according to doctors.
Iaonnis was swimming at Cottesloe Beach on New Year's Eve when disaster struck.
'This is a stark reminder that Perth's beaches, no matter how calm they appear, can be treacherous.'
'We want people to enjoy our coastline, but also to understand how quickly things can go wrong.'