Paraglider who broke his back in Central Coast NSW accident wants to fly again as soon as possible

Paraglider who broke his back when a freak gust of wind slammed him into a cliff is ‘ready to get back into the sky’ – as his girlfriend shares heartfelt message as he remains in hospital

  • Matt Kitai broke his back when he was involved in a paragliding accident 
  • A sudden wind change pushed him into a cliff face but he is keen to get back out 
  • His partner said he is in high spirits and should released from hospital this week

A paraglider who fractured his spine in a freak accident is keen to ‘get back in the sky’ just days after the incident which could’ve cost him his life.

A sudden change in wind sent Matt Kitai’s paraglide slamming into a cliff face in Bateau Bay, on the NSW Central Coast on Saturday.

His partner Tasha Brewer, who was at a hair salon when she heard of the accident and was rushed to the scene by her hairdresser, told friends and family Mr Kitai remains in high spirits. 

‘He’s in very good spirits,’ she said. ‘Everyone who knows Matt knows how resilient he is… He’s already talking about getting back up in the sky.’

 

Matt Kitai is recovering in hospital after a paragliding accident which left him with a fractured spine

His partner, Tasha Brewer, said the outpouring of support from friends and family has been overwhelming

While she joked the prospect was worrying, she said ‘it’s his passion and he loves it’.

‘I know he’ll be up there fighting fit in no time.’

After the incident, in which Mr Kitai found himself stuck on the cliff, he was flown via helicopter to Royal North Shore Hospital for treatment. 

Mr Kitai narrowly avoided needing any surgery for his injuries, which include a fractured spine and damaged sacrum.

Mr Kitai narrowly avoided needing any surgery for his injuries, which include a fractured spine and damaged sacrum

Mr Kitai narrowly avoided needing any surgery for his injuries, which include a fractured spine and damaged sacrum

Pictured: The nasty bruise he suffered after the accident, which occurred on Saturday

Pictured: The nasty bruise he suffered after the accident, which occurred on Saturday

He was assessed by a neurosurgeon who decided to mould a brace to his body to ‘see how that starts healing first’.

The mould should be ready by Wednesday and, if all goes well, Mr Kitai should be ready to go home by the end of the week.

But doctors think he will be out of work for anywhere between three and six months. 

A friend of the couple started a GoFundMe account to help cover medical expenses from the accident.

Ms Brewer said the kindness and generosity of friends and family has been overwhelming.   

‘It’s times like these you realise the people that care the most,’ she said. 

He was assessed by a neurosurgeon who decided to mould a brace to his body to 'see how that starts healing first'

He was assessed by a neurosurgeon who decided to mould a brace to his body to ‘see how that starts healing first’

Matt Kitai was caught up when a change in the wind sent his paraglide slamming into a cliff face in Bateau Bay, on the NSW Central Coast on Saturday, rescuers airlifted him to hospital

Matt Kitai was caught up when a change in the wind sent his paraglide slamming into a cliff face in Bateau Bay, on the NSW Central Coast on Saturday, rescuers airlifted him to hospital



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