New Zealander faces never walking again after ‘nightmare’ surf accident

It was a surf at his favourite break towards the Gold Coast. But a single wave turned this 31-year-old’s life in to his “worst nightmare”.

Johnny Konings suffered a life-changing injury while surfing on the NSW-Queensland border last week.

It was the morning surf that turned into one young Kiwi’s “worst nightmare”.

Last Tuesday, Johnny Konings took to the waves at one of his favourite spots on the NSW-Queensland border, when his first wave of the day ended in tragedy.

The 31-year-old was hurled off his board and hit a sandbar under the waves, breaking his spine and ribs, and leaving him with a collapsed lung.

Johnny Konings and his fiance Charlotte Gordon.

Johnny Konings and his fiance Charlotte Gordon.

Other surfers in the water rushed to his aid, pulling him from the water and onto the shore.

Since the life-changing accident, Mr Konings’ fiancee Charlotte Gordon has been documenting her partner’s recovery on social media.

In her first post after the accident, Ms Gordon shared details of the incident and the struggle each day since had brought for the pair.

“He is currently paralysed from the waist down with no sensation, we remain incredibly positive and are going to throw everything we possibly can at this,” Ms Gordon wrote on Instagram last Friday.

“Day by day, those that know Johnny know he doesn’t give up easy.”

Johnny Konings and his fiance Charlotte Gordon.

Johnny Konings and his fiance Charlotte Gordon.

The pair, who this week were supposed to be home in New Zealand celebrating their recent engagement, said more tears had been shed as the pair — alongside the support of friends and family — were navigating a number of firsts that come with a spinal cord injury.

“Our days are big, and we’re experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions, but appreciative and so grateful for all the little milestones each day,” Ms Gordon said.

Johnny Konings and his fiance Charlotte Gordon.

“More time in the chair today, more time outside, more baby steps progress and new visitors coming to see us.

“Not captured … the many tears we all shed daily, pain, and all the firsts we are navigating that comes with a spinal cord injury.

“We process, and choose to focus on the wins.”

According to the New Zealand Herald, Mr Konings was an experienced surfer who played football for Hamilton Wanderers and Ngāruawāhia United in New Zealand, but had moved over the ditch to the Gold Coast with Ms Gordon.

Speaking to Nine News in the days after the accident, which has left Mr Konings without feeling in his legs, Ms Gordon said the worst case scenario is that he may never walk again.

“(We are) going to throw everything we possibly can at this,” she said.

“Day by day those that know Johnny know he doesn’t give up easy.

“We have a long road ahead, but he’s alive, his sense of humour is still intact and there’s a lot of positivity coming from this hospital ward.”

Johnny Konings and his fiance Charlotte Gordon.

Johnny Konings and his fiance Charlotte Gordon.

Mr Konings and Ms Gordon were due to celebrate their engagement in New Zealand this week after popping the question in January, but instead held a small gathering at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital over the weekend.

In her latest post on social media, Ms Gordon said the pair remain positive despite the prognosis.

“We both go to sleep every night dreaming and visualising walking along the beach together,” she wrote.

“I’m extremely determined to get back to my feet again,” he added.

“I’m walking outta here. Mark my words.”

A friend of the pair has launched a GoFundMe page that has raised almost $20,000 of its $100,000 goal.