A MIRACLE driver who survived a broken neck in a horror car crash that killed his partner is now planning to climb Everest.
Simon Clark, 44, was described by paramedics as “the most devastated man they have ever encountered” after a head-on crash that killed his partner of 20 years, Lindy.
4
4
The former real estate agent broke his back and neck, leaving his head connected to his body only by muscle and skin.
Doctors didn’t think he would survive, but if he did, he would never walk, talk, eat or breathe on his own.
But, unbelievably, five years after the success that changed his life, Simon is able to resume his passion for climbing mountains and wants to conquer the highest mountain on Earth.
He has already completed a grueling 10-day trek through Iceland’s grueling highlands.
Simon, from Cirencester, Glos, who now suffers short-term memory loss, said: “I broke the top three vertebrae in my spine.
“It completely took my head off my shoulders. A lot of people said I was beheaded.
“My head went up and then went down again – something that is very rare and they had never seen before.
“That’s what saved my spinal cord. My head was bobbing, held in place by soft fabric.”
He was also left with a hole in his aorta, a damaged heart and several broken bones, and had to be resuscitated several times in hospital.
Simon was driving with Lindy on Fosse Way on October 17 when she hit something and caused them to swerve into an approaching car on the other side of the road.
The other driver escaped serious injury, but Lindy tragically died.
Simon attributes his survival to the incredible work of the Western Air Ambulance, who treated him at the scene before rushing him to hospital.
He said: “They gave me a second chance and I owe it to them to make the most of it. All the things I like and do now are because of them.
“I try to live my life to the fullest every moment of every day.”
Simon now plans to take on some of the world’s physical challenges.
He said: “I’ll see if I can get to Everest Base Camp in September and go from there.
“I’m also planning to hike to the North Pole in late 2025.”
He added: “I’ve always been a positive-minded kind of person.
“I think that’s what made the difference in my recovery.
“Doctors always present the worst possible scenario.
“I don’t think so, I can do the kind of thing you say is impossible.”
4
4
18th time on top of the world is so cool
By ALEX GOSS
A BRITISH climber has broken his own record for the most Everest climbs by a foreigner – at the age of 18.
Kenton Cool reached the 29,035-foot (8,850 m) summit on Sunday, sharing a photo of his team.
The 50-year-old mountain guide, from Gloucestershire, first scaled the peak in 2004, and his 17th climb took place last year.
The overall record is held by Nepalese Sherpa Kami Rita, who also turned 29 on Sunday.
Rita wrote, “Gratitude abounds for our resilient Sherpa repair team and the dedicated Icefall Doctors whose expertise paved the way.”
Around 800 climbers are expected to attempt Everest this climbing season, from April to June.
Last year was one of the deadliest on the mountain, with 18 deaths.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25514439/2158517834.jpg?w=300&resize=300,300&ssl=1)
