A Brit has been left paralysed following a terrifying skiing mishap in the French Alps. Konstantinos Karatziolas, 28, sustained a dislocated back and fractured sternum after landing awkwardly from a ski jump on 29 January whilst holidaying with his parents in Les Arcs, France.

He lost sensation from his second top rib downwards, and severely injured his spinal cord, resulting in paralysis of his legs. The avid skier, who is employed in the insurance sector, is now crowdfunding to finance his rehabilitation in the hope of regaining the ability to walk.

Konstantinos, originally from Essex but currently residing in Manchester, said: "When I hit the ground and was lying there on the floor, I knew something was wrong. I was incredibly frightened.

"I was told the day after the accident, I would most likely never walk again. I hadn't severed the spinal cord, but doctors said due to the extent of the injuries, they said it is close to zero per cent chance I would get my mobility back. But I have to stay positive just in case I am one day able to walk again."

Konstantinos was holidaying with his mum and stepdad, Ruth, 63, and Paul Harvey, 63, in Bourg-Saint-Maurice for a week-long skiing trip on the slopes of Les Arcs from 26 January. He had been skiing for 16 years and had embarked on previous trips to Austria and Italy, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Konstantinos had just wrapped up a day on the slopes when he decided to visit the ski park section before heading home. The skier shared that he executed several jumps successfully, but on his final attempt, he misjudged the ramp's height and his speed, sending him soaring four metres into the air.

He then lost control and spun out before crashing down onto the hard snow below, landing on his shoulders. Konstantinos said: "I saw my mum and stepdad running over to me, and I told them I had screwed my life up.

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"I realised I couldn't move my legs and began to panic. My mum and stepdad were previously paramedics and were great at calming me down and making sure I didn't move.

"The mountain ambulance then arrived and advised me to find a happy place to help cope with the pain. I was then given painkillers and airlifted to the hospital."

The avid skier was rushed to Grenoble Hospital in France, where he underwent emergency spine surgery. His back was fitted with eight screws and two metal rods after dislocating his T9 vertebra.

He also fractured his sternum. Konstantinos was flown back to Manchester on February 17 and is currently recuperating from the surgery at Salford Royal Hospital, adjusting to his new life as a paraplegic.

It took 14 hours, several flights and ambulance rides to get him back to the UK. He said: "I'm trying to be positive.

"I have joked about now becoming a Paralympian with family. It is just something I'm going to have to live with. I have accepted that I may never walk again, but I will try my best to one day."

He also emphasised the significance of "reading the safety information in the snow park, knowing your limits, and not getting carried away" to minimise the risk of injury.

Konstantinos' girlfriend, Kirstin Lowe, 26, shared: "I was heartbroken when his parents called me and explained what had happened. He is a mentally and physically strong person, and I am very proud of how he is recovering so far."

www.gofundme.com/f/support-konstantinos-spinal-cord-injury-recovery.