A Greek tourist has suffered catastrophic spinal injuries after diving into a sandbank at Cottesloe Beach on New Year's Eve. Ioannis Vidiniotis, 28, fractured his spine and broke his collarbone when he hit his head on a submerged sandbank. Doctors say he has less than a 5% chance of walking again.
Vidiniotis had arrived in Perth only two days before the accident. His cousin, Aristea Kazantzidou, took him to the beach for a swim. She described the water as clear and calm, resembling a swimming pool. After diving in, he floated unconscious. Kazantzidou performed CPR with the help of an anaesthetist named Lloyd who was at the scene.
Vidiniotis underwent a five-hour emergency spinal surgery and remains in intensive care. A fundraising campaign has raised over $250,000 for his medical treatment and rehabilitation. His mother is expected to arrive from Greece to visit him in hospital.
The Town of Cottesloe's chief executive, Mark Newman, stated the beach has adequate signage warning of ocean dangers, with approximately 30 entrance points along the 4-kilometer foreshore. He encouraged beach users to take care in the water.
