A BRITISH Army veteran is at risk of never walking again after a horror e-scooter crash in Dubai.
Mark Houghton, 58, suffered a serious spinal injury on his way to get his hair cut – paralysing him below the neck.
His devastated family in Southampton are now fundraising for Mark -who was awarded an MBE in the late Queen's Birthday Honours List in 2005 – to get back to the UK for the care he urgently needs.
It will cost around £25,000 to fly Mark, who was working in the UAE city, to his home country.
His son Lawrence, 35, is hopeful his dad can make a partial – or even full – recovery in time.
Lawrence told Flying Eze: “There was an obstruction in the middle of a footpath but he didn't see it and ploughed straight into it.
“The pure force of hitting it broke his neck and sent him flying quite some distance.
“Because he'd broken his neck, he couldn't move.”
Mark, who has been living in Dubai with his wife and is a trustee for UK charity Caring Kits for Kids, was rushed to hospital for life-saving treatment.
“I've got to say, he shouldn't be here by right,” Lawrence said.
“But the hospital in Dubai did a marvellous job.”
Lawrence said a month after his accident on February 22, Mark is beginning to get some feeling back in his legs and can breath on his own – but is unable to use his arms.
He added: “His arms are probably going to be the last thing to come back.
“He's got no mobility, so he can't actually use anything properly.
“It's almost like the signals have been scrambled, so his body has to relearn how to walk, breathe and do all the normal stuff we take for granted.
“But the main thing is he can. He'll never be back to his normal self, 100 per cent, but they're confident he'll make a good recovery.
“You never really know what the true damage is until the swelling has gone down.”
But his family now want to bring Mark back to the UK for his recovery, especially as he had planned to move back.
Lawrence added: “The level of care in the UAE is phenomenal.
“But we want to get him back to the UK now to continue his recovery.
“Dad has dedicated his life to serving others through a distinguished military career and a deep commitment to charitable causes; and we are now hoping to find support for him in his time of need.”
So far, well-wishers have donated more than £8,000 towards the £25,000 target.
