Skier Paralyzed After 13ft Alpine Jump Disaster

A British skier's dream holiday turned into a nightmare when he suffered a catastrophic accident in the French Alps. Konstantinos Karatziolas, 28, from Essex, was on a family trip to Les Arcs when he miscalculated a jump on January 29, sending him soaring 13 feet into the air before a violent crash. The impact resulted in a dislocated back, a broken sternum, and a shattered spinal cord, leaving him paralyzed from the ribs down.

Karatziolas, an experienced skier with 16 years on the slopes, was enjoying a final run after a day of skiing. Despite his previous successes, an overestimation of the final ramp's height and his speed led to the tragic fall. He recalls seeing his parents rush to his aid, realizing immediately the severity of his injuries. His mother and stepfather, both former paramedics, provided crucial immediate assistance before mountain rescue arrived.

He was airlifted to Grenoble Hospital for emergency surgery, where surgeons fitted eight screws and two metal rods to stabilize his spine. After a challenging repatriation journey, Karatziolas arrived back in Manchester on February 17 and is now recovering at Salford Royal Hospital. He has launched a crowdfunding campaign on GoFundMe, seeking funds for rehabilitation with the hope of regaining mobility, emphasizing the importance of safety on the slopes.