Man, 27, breaks his neck and will likely be left quadriplegic after diving into foam pit at leisure centre

A man will likely be left quadriplegic after he broke his neck and severely injured his spinal cord after jumping into a foam pit at a Spanish leisure centre. 

The 27-year-old from Blimea in northern Spain sustained the injuries after the accident at a newly-opened leisure and games venue for adults and children in the nearby town of Colloto. 

His girlfriend and some friends discovered him unconscious and phoned the emergency services. He was then taken to the Central University Hospital of Asturias for treatment, but there are fears that he may end up quadriplegic, local news outlet La Nueva Espaa de Siero reported. 

The man has undergone surgery, but tests show that he has a complete spinal cord injury, which may leave him unable to move his arms or legs. A complete spinal cord injury means that there is no nerve communication below the injury site, with sensory and motor function lost below that site. 

The 27-year-old is currently on assisted ventilation. The venue where the accident occurred on Monday remains open but the foam pit has been closed and an investigation into the cause of the accident is being carried out. 

His spine had been broken at the third cervical vertebra, or C3, halfway down the neck.’The facility complies with all safety measures,’ one of the partners in the establishment told La Nueva Espaa de Siero. 

The venue will hand over recordings of the accident for the investigation but says it was not at fault. Venue company officials told local news El Comercio:

‘It was not our fault, the installation is good and has all the necessary safety protections. We have hired experts and lawyers.’