A 25-year-old policeman Pilitati Ohi who fell from a coconut tree at the Vaini Police Station will never be able to walk again due to serious spinal injuries that have left him paralysed from the neck down.

Pilitati has been hospitalised for three weeks and is now stable in the sense he is conscious and can talk but his condition is of the most serious kind, confirmed Sulia Nonu, the Chief Nurse at the Surgical Unit of Vaiola Hospital.

She said that when Pilitati fell from the very high coconut tree, he fell on his knee and the pressure of his fall was so strong his head was whipped to the back causing a fracture dislocation in his spine, known as a C56 fracture at the back of his neck.

She said Pilitati's case is even more serious than the two Aussie Rules rugby players, Paumolevuka Tu'i (18) of Talafo'ou and Mafua Kiokata (22) who were left paralysed after an accident in August last year.

She said Pilitati is in a cervical collar and is on intravenous fluids, but there is nothing that can be done because the spinal damage is too severe. He has difficulty breathing.

"The only thing we can do now is to keep close monitoring of his condition because even if he is taken overseas for medical help nothing can be done.

'Eua family

Pilitati who is from Angaha, 'Eua is being cared for by his mother Suva and father Paula Ohi, who are devastated with the thought of their son not being able to walk again.

Suva confirmed that her son was conscious when he was rushed to the hospital after his fall and she talked with him when she came into the hospital later in the day.

She said doctors informed her Pilitati would continue to remain in the hospital for six weeks where they will monitor his condition but there is nothing more they can do.

She said her son moved to Tongatapu around four years ago and lived with her sister at Mataika.

"He wanted to pursue his dream of becoming a police officer and he succeeded when he was recruited around two years ago," she said.

Pilitati is the only son and has three sisters. He was the main breadwinner for the family who still lives at Angaha, with two of his sisters living at Samoa.

Suva said they have a plantation and some animals at Angaha, but they were mainly supported by Pilitati whose wages helped them a lot.

Hopeful

The family said they were hopeful of finding a way to seek better care in New Zealand.

"He asked me not to give up hope and to find a way to send him to New Zealand because he wants to at least try," said the mother, "we are seeking all the help we can get because we want to fulfil his wish."

Pilitati loves cricket and has been a cricket player for most of his adult life, said his mother who is sad that her son may not play the game he loves ever again.

"In the meantime we are by his side everyday, praying and talking to him keeping him strong and we have not given up hope because we plan despite this difficult time we will get through it," she said.