Magaluf stag-do groom paralysed in freak fall ‘moves foot’ and now pledges to walk up the aisle
Firefighter James Thorpe was injured in the sea just two hours into his lads' holiday
A BRITISH groom-to-be paralysed after a freak accident on his stag do has regained movement in his foot after treatment for his horror injuries.
Firefighter James Thorpe broke his neck and seven vertebrae after tripping over in the sea in Majorca just TWO HOURS into his holiday.
Now James has vowed to walk down the aisle with his true love Michaela Watson.
The 28-year-old, from Boston, was due to marry last month but the couple cancelled the ceremony after the accident.
Ms Watson has now revealed her fiancé is making amazing progress.
She said: "James tried to move his foot. He was trying all day and nothing was happening, but all of a sudden his right foot started to move."
"It's obviously a breakthrough moment for us."
Related Stories
After the accident Spanish doctors warned he may never walk again.
Despite this, she said: "I have always been optimistic and wouldn't believe it."
Ms Watson said they have set a new date for their wedding next July.
"James doesn't want to be in a wheelchair, he is determined to walk down the aisle," she added.
James has been undergoing treatment at Sheffield spinal hospital after being flown back from the holiday isle.
It is still uncertain if he will be permanently paralysed.
His legs were swept from under him by a wave while he was paddling in the sea at knee-height, and he banged his head on the seabed just hours after landing on the Spanish island for his stag do.
He felt his neck break and gave first-aid instructions to other members of the stag party and a nurse who was passing by.
James doesn't want to be in a wheelchair, he is determined to walk down the aisle
Michaela, fiancee
Speaking from his hospital bed last month, James said: “It’s devastating that what was meant to be such a happy time has turned into our worst nightmare.
“I never imagined anything like this could happen but I’m determined not to let it get in the way of our plans so I can marry Michaela as soon as possible.
“This experience has made our love stronger and I can’t wait for us both to enjoy the day we have been planning together.
“Despite everything, I’m trying to think positively and do everything I can to walk again. If there’s a chance I can, I will.”
He has had surgery where doctors took bone from his hip to replace damaged bone in his neck.
Michaela said: “He kept really calm and luckily one of his friends spotted him going under the water or he would have drowned.
“He was directing his friends to tell them what to do and they made a headrest out of sand so he could keep his neck still.
“He was even liaising with a nurse who happened to be there to make sure he didn’t do anything to make his injuries worse.”
To support James and Michaela, visit .