A teenager who faced the prospect of never walking again after a breaking his neck in a freak beach accident has defied the odds.
Matthew Haylett, 18, dived into a sandbar at Mullaloo six months ago, leaving him paralysed.
On Friday, he finally walked out of hospital — taking the first steps of the rest of his life.
Matthew was instantly paralysed when he dove headfirst into a sandbar at Mullaloo Beach in March.
Camera IconMatthew Haylett finally walked out of hospital on Friday. Credit: 7NEWS
Camera IconMatthew Haylett embracing loved ones. Credit: 7NEWS
His mate Camden Atfield heroically pulled him to shore before he was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital for spinal surgery. He then faced months of rehabilitation at Fiona Stanley Hospital.
“I think when the waves came back he just started screaming,” Camden said after the incident earlier this year.
“He was completely paralysed. He was like, ‘I can’t move’.”