The father of a young Aussie who was left fighting for life in Europe after a freak accident has revealed his son is out of bed and moving.
Jordan Theobald, 29, was badly injured after jumping off the iconic Mostar Bridge in Bosnia and plunging more than 20m down before hitting the river.
Mr Theobald had been on a romantic getaway with his partner Laura Mahoney after the couple had spent years saving up their money.
The 29-year-old shattered his spine and was rushed to the intensive care unit where he underwent emergency surgery.
Mr Theobald’s father Jason shared a heartwarming update on Sunday revealing that his son had been making progress in hospital.
‘Today he walked about 50m unassisted. He can get out of bed and back into bed unassisted,’ he wrote on Facebook.
‘He’s in really great spirits. He’s off the heavy pain killers and only needs paracetamol when required.’
‘Still in ICU, has to remain lying down unless the physios are working with him.’
Jordan Theobald, 29, was badly injured after jumping off the iconic Mostar Bridge in Bosnia and plunging more than 20m down before hitting the river (pictured, Mr Theobald with his partner Laura Mahoney)
Before leaping off the 16th-century Ottoman bridge, Mr Theobald had been trained by the diving club that operates at the popular tourist attraction
Jason shared his gratitude for the messages of support that had been sent his way and that his son remained positive.
‘He has said the staff at the hospital in Mostar have been amazing and is in good hands,’ he wrote.
‘They have said it is a true miracle that he has come so far so quickly as he presented to the hospital as a paraplegic. Someone is looking out for him.’
Jason thanked those who had supported the GoFundMe that had been created to raise money for Mr Theobald’s medical bills and flight back to Australia.
The friend added, ‘He (Mr Theobald) has said the staff at the hospital in Mostar have been amazing and is in good hands.’
‘They have said it is a true miracle that he has come so far so quickly as he presented to the hospital as a paraplegic. Someone is looking out for him.’
Ms Mahoney told 7News that her partner had ‘great mental strength’ and that he was ‘remaining positive’ and ‘hopeful’.
The Melbourne couple planned to eventually settle in France at the end of their trek around Europe.
Their priority has changed to returning to Australia as soon as possible so Mr Theobald can begin his recovery.
Ms Mahoney said the diving club has seen many injuries before, but not to the extent of Mr Theobald’s injuries
Ms Mahoney said they had only been in Mostar for two days before the tragic accident that shattered his T12 vertebrae.
Before leaping off the 16th-century Ottoman bridge, Mr Theobald had been trained by the diving club that operates at the popular tourist attraction.
‘When it came to the big jump, a mishap has happened and he’s landed incorrectly,’ Ms Mahoney said.
Mr Theobald was rushed to hospital and placed in ICU with paralysis to the lower half of his body.
Ms Mahoney said the diving club has seen many injuries before, but not to the extent of Mr Theobald’s injuries.
‘Jumping off a bridge that high, there are always going to be risks,’ she said.
Ms Mahoney said because Mr Theobald is in ICU, she has not been able to spend more than 10 minutes a day with her partner.
She said he is grateful to the medical team taking care of him.
Ms Mahoney also expressed her gratitude to Aussies who have supported the GoFundMe which has so far raised almost $73,000.
‘The generosity, support, and kind messages that we’re receiving has not gone unnoticed,’ Mahoney said.
