Paralysed diver Dan Eley to return to Amazon jungle

Dan Eley said going back to the scene of his accident will give him "full closure"

A man left paralysed after an accident in Colombia more than five years ago is to return to the spot in the Amazon jungle where his life changed forever.

Daniel Eley, 37, from Godalming in Surrey, uses a wheelchair after he broke his neck when he dived into a river on New Year's Eve in 2009.

He spent months in hospital after supporters raised £90,000 to fly him back to the UK by air ambulance

He said his aim was to "make peace with the place" and get full closure.

"It was such a life-changing event.

"I'm sure it's going to be very emotional and I'm not sure how many people have done trips in the jungle in a wheelchair," Mr Eley said.

Dan Eley will be accompanied on his return journey by the two friends who were with him when he was injured

He worked as a charity worker with impoverished children in Latin America for two years, and then as an English teacher in the Colombian city of Cali in the months before the accident.

He has since started a charity to help the street children of Latin America, which he runs from his room at the Hydon Hill care home in Godalming.

His charity has so far helped more than 150 children and young people obtain skills and find work.

"This is what saved me emotionally, perhaps," he said.

"It gave me a purpose again, and to see the transformation in them before they start the course and then when I go back and they're in jobs and working, it's been actually the most gratifying thing."

Much of Mr Eley's journey through the jungle will be by boat.

He will have eight helpers, including the two friends he was with when he had his accident.