7:07am UK, Friday May 16, 2008

The parents of a youth who has been left paralysed after tombstoning from a pier have released a photo of their son to warn others of the dangers.

Sonny paralysed from chest down

Sonny Wells, 20, is pictured lying in a hospital bed hooked up to machines after a "moment of madness" when he jumped from South Parade Pier in Southsea, Portsmouth.

They hope by releasing the image it will stop others making the same mistake.

Doctors say the keen footballer will be paralysed from the chest down after he broke his neck in the 30ft jump.

His mother Jacqui Unal, 42, from Waterlooville, Hants, said: "We want to save somebody else. My son has lost his life in a moment of madness - he was so active.

"If we can stop someone else from tombstoning by releasing this picture then it will be a bonus."

Mr Wells underwent an operation at Southampton General Hospital to stabilise his neck and he has regained some movement in his arms.

His uncle Gary Wells said: "After the operation he could move his arms so he is very, very lucky.

"They took a bone from his hip to put in his neck. They have put in two plates and six pins, and after they took the bits of bone from his vertebrae he managed to get his arms back.

"The doctors have told him at the moment he will be paralysed from the chest down - but who knows what might happen in the future?

"But getting the movement in his arms has lifted his spirits. Last night he was saying 'I'm going to be a boxer'."

The former soldier who served for two years in the Kings Royal Hussars asked doctors outright if he would walk again and they said no, his father Robert Wells said.

Sonny was out with friends when he ripped off his shirt and jumped off the pier - something he has done in the past.

He had to be dragged from the water unconscious and airlifted by helicopter to Southampton General Neurological Unit.