A British climber has narrowly escaped death in Spain after being hit by a falling 20kg boulder.
Aaron Nattrass may be partially paralysed after the huge rock fell 40 metres and hit his elbow and pelvis.
His friends said he is lucky to be alive as if the rock had hit his head ‘he would be dead’.
The horror accident took place on the Balearic island of Mallorca on April 12.
A local climbing group said on Instagram: ‘The massive rock fell on him from 40m directly to his arm and pelvis.
‘Aaron was very lucky that the rock didn’t hit his head because he would be dead.
‘Today he’s having arm and pelvis surgery, it’s gonna be months of recuperation for Aaron.
‘He is self-employed and the money he will receive from social security while not being able to work is not enough to cover his life expenses.’
Friends have launched a GoFundMe page to help keep Aaron afloat while he recovers.
The fundraiser was started by his close friend and fellow expat Rob Nicholls.
Nicholls said: ‘Whilst at the base of a rock face a large rock weighing around 20kg fell from a height of 40m and struck him on the elbow and the pelvis.
‘His elbow is shattered into pieces and his pelvis is fractured.
‘He will have an operation of eight hours tomorrow morning (16/4) to try and repair his elbow but as of now the prognosis is not particularly encouraging and it is not known how much of the use of his right arm he will regain.
‘His fractured pelvis may also require an operation and the recovery may be at least 6- 7 months with a lot of physio.
‘Aaron is unlikely to be able to get up and walk at all for at least 6 – 8 weeks. We are very grateful he is still with us.’
The appeal added: ‘He is self-employed and as many of you that are familiar with Spanish bureaucracy will know, he will be entitled to very little to get him through what will be some pretty rough days.’
