Father Paralyzed in Crash After Dropping Kids at School

In a tragic turn of events, a father of four is now facing a lifetime of paralysis after a car crash that occurred just moments after he had dropped his children off at school. The incident took place on October 1st, 2025, when 45-year-old Mat Holten tried to swerve to avoid a car that had pulled out in front of him. Unfortunately, his vehicle clipped the other car and plowed into a wall, causing it to roll over.

While Mat's wife, Kristina, was able to escape the wreckage, her husband was left trapped and unable to feel his legs. Emergency services rushed to the scene and transported Mat to Derriford Hospital, where doctors delivered the devastating news that he had sustained a level seven spinal injury, resulting in paralysis from the neck down.

Despite undergoing a 14-hour operation and a grueling six-month stay at the Salisbury Rehabilitation Centre, Mat's condition remains unchanged. He can now only operate one hand, and his speech has become slurred and slow. Kristina, who has been married to Mat for 23 years, has been left overwhelmed by the sudden and drastic change in their lives.

The family has started a GoFundMe appeal to help cover the extensive travel costs, accommodation, and food expenses required to support Mat during his long recovery. Kristina has expressed that the battle is becoming "overwhelming," but she is grateful for the help of strangers who have already raised over £2,000 to assist the family.