In my leisure time from the cruise ship, myself and some friends went ashore. While one of us was getting the sunbeds, i decided to go swimming. I jumped into the sea (Baywatch Style), as I went through the water my head then hit a sandbank the weight of my body broke my neck. I knew then that something was seriously wrong as I tried to swim to the surface. I felt as if I was swimming but my arms were just floating beside me.

I could feel the heat of the sun on my back, so I knew I was on the surface but all I could do was shake my head! This drew the attention to my friends that I was in danger. (This all happened in about 30 secs).

I was brought ashore and an ambulance was called. I was taken to the closest hospital on St Maartins where a doctor from the Westerdam was sent to join me. Due to the severity of my injuries I was flown to Miami, I was then medically induced into a Coma.