A young Greek tourist has been flooded with donations and support after a tragic accident at Perth’s most iconic beach left him with life-changing injuries.
Ioannis Vidiniotis had only been in Western Australia’s capital for two days when his cousin Aristea Kazantzidou took him to Cottesloe Beach for a coffee and a swim.
It was New Year’s Eve, and the Indian Ocean was clear and calm on a windless Perth day.
Ioannis — on his first trip to Australia — was relieved to find a shark net, and could not wait to jump in the water.
“It looked like a swimming pool,” his cousin Aristea recalled.
“I thought Cottesloe was the safest place to take someone who has just stepped off a plane that’s never been to Australia.”
Ioannis Vidiniotis pictured with his cousin Aristea Kazantzidou. (Supplied)
Experienced swimmer
But shortly after diving in, Ioannis was floating and unconscious.
“He is an experienced swimmer, and I don’t believe he knew that he would strike a sand bank,” Aristea said.
The young Athenian had hit his head on the sand bank, breaking his collarbone and fracturing his spine.
Doctors say his chances of walking again are slim. (Supplied)
Aristea gave her cousin CPR and was helped by an anaesthetist named Lloyd, who happened to be there at the time.
“We put him on his back, and Lloyd was holding his head the whole time,” Aristea said.
“My whole family is really thankful Lloyd was there.”
Nearly $250,000 raised
Ioannis underwent a five-hour emergency spinal surgery and remains in ICU.
Ioannis Vidiniotis pictured before the accident with his cousin Elle (Aristea’s sister) and uncle and aunty, Dimitri and Effie. (Supplied)
Medical specialists have advised the family that his chance of walking again was less than 5 per cent.
The ABC understands that while in hospital Ioannis was visited by a young Perth man who defied the odds after a similar accident at another Perth beach and eventually walked again.
As of Friday, a gofundme page set up by the Hellenic Community of Western Australia had raised more than $250,000 to help with the ongoing costs of his care and rehabilitation.
Ioannis’s mother was expected to arrive from Greece on Sunday to visit him in hospital.
Sandbank warning
Aristea said her family wanted people to be aware of the dangers of sandbanks.
“This is a stark reminder that Perth’s beaches, no matter how calm they appear, can be treacherous,” she said.
“We want people to enjoy our coastline, but also to understand how quickly things can go wrong.”
Town of Cottesloe chief executive Mark Newman said he believed the beach had adequate signage warning about the dangers of the ocean.
“The Cottesloe foreshore extends for 4 kilometres, within which we have approximately 30 entrance points,” he said.
“We believe the beach is adequately signed, given the very passive nature of the beach.
“Like others, we feel it to be an unfortunate and sad event and would encourage all beach users to take care in the water.”
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