The Greek community in Western Australia has rallied around Ioannis Vidiniotis, a young Greek tourist who suffered life-changing injuries in a tragic accident at Perth’s Cottesloe Beach on New Year’s Eve.
Vidiniotis had been in Perth for just two days when he went for a swim with his cousin, Aristea Kazantzidou. Describing the conditions as calm, she said the water “looked like a swimming pool” and believed the beach was a safe choice.
Shortly after diving in, Vidiniotis struck a sandbank, hit his head and was found floating unconscious.
“He is an experienced swimmer, and I don’t believe he knew that he would strike a sand bank,” Kazantzidou said.
He suffered a broken collarbone and multiple spinal fractures and underwent a five-hour emergency spinal operation.
He remains in intensive care, with doctors advising his family that his chances of walking again are less than five per cent.
Kazantzidou performed CPR with the help of an anaesthetist who was nearby. “My whole family is really thankful Lloyd was there,” she said.
The Hellenic Community of Western Australia has led fundraising efforts to support Vidiniotis’ ongoing care and rehabilitation, with donations exceeding $250,000. His mother is expected to arrive from Greece to be by his side.
Kazantzidou said the family hopes the incident serves as a warning about sandbanks.
“Perth’s beaches, no matter how calm they appear, can be treacherous,” she said.
Cottesloe chief executive Mark Newman said the beach had adequate warning signage and described the incident as “an unfortunate and sad event,” urging beachgoers to take care in the water.
Source: ABC.
