Comedian PJ Gallagher was close to being left paralysed after a madcap 30-foot dive.
The Naked Camera star was close to spending his life in a wheelchair after leaping from the 10-metre board at the National Aquatic Centre.
Despite people wanting to take on the dive having to undergo special training, the 39-year-old went ahead anyway.
But PJ found himself drowning and unable to move after landing in the water, admitting: “For a few moments I thought, ‘Oh my God, am I paralysed for life?'”
Wars: PJ is no stranger to hurting himself | VIPIRELAND.COM
“I landed like a plank. All I remember was this loud bang and sinking. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t swim,” he said.
“I was going down further and further under the water. [Lifeguards] found me on the way down and dragged me to the surface.
“I was helpless, I couldn’t move any part of my body. For a few moments I thought, ‘Oh my God, am I paralysed for life?'”
Ambulance workers put PJ – who admits he was “foolish” – into a recovery position on a long back board, used for people with suspected spine injuries.
Plank: PJ couldn’t move after dive | VIPIRELAND.COM
“I’m sure the fire brigade guys did wonder for a second if it was some sort of Naked Camera sketch,” he told the Irish Sun.
“I’d say looking at the terrified look on my face, made them realise it wasn’t.
“I don’t know if it was shock, or what, but after a few minutes the feeling gradually started to return in my body.
“Even then, the ambulance guys wouldn’t let me leave the pool until they felt I was 100 per cent OK.”
