A MIRACLE driver who survived snapping his neck in an horrific car crash that killed his partner is now planning to climb Everest.
Simon Clark, 44, was described by paramedics as “the most broken man they had ever come across” after a head-on crash which killed partner of 20 years Lindy.
The former estate agent broke his spine and neck leaving his head connected to his body by only muscle and skin.
Doctors did not think he would live but if he did, he would never walk, talk, eat, or breathe by himself.
But unbelievably, five years on from the life changing smash, Simon is able to take up his passion for hill climbing and wants to conquer the highest mountain on Earth.
He has already completed a gruelling 10-day hike through the gruelling highlands of Iceland.
Simon, of Cirencester, Glos, who now suffers short term memory loss, said: “I shattered the top three vertebrae of my spine.
“It took my head completely off my shoulders. Lots of people said I was decapitated.
“My head had pulled up and clamped back down – something that is very rare and they hadn’t seen before.
“It’s what saved my spinal cord. My head was flopping around, held together by soft tissue.”
He was also left with a gaping hole in his aorta, a damaged heart and various broken bones, and had to be resuscitated several times in hospital.
Simon was driving with Lindy on the Fosse Way on October 17 when she hit something and sent them veering into an oncoming car on the other side of the road.
The other driver escaped serious injury but Lindy was tragically killed.
Simon puts his survival down to the incredible work of the Western Air Ambulance who treated him at the scene before dashing him to hospital.
He said: “They gave me a second chance and I owe it to them to make the most of it. All the things I get to enjoy and do now is because of them.
“I try to live my life to the fullest every moment of every day.”
Simon now plans to take on some of the world’s physical challenges.
He said: “I’m going to see if I can get to Everest’s base camp in September and take it from there.
“I’m also planning to trek to the North Pole at the end of 2025.”
He added: “I’ve always been a positive mindset kind of person.
“I think that’s what has made the difference with my recovery.
“Medical people always give you the worst case scenario.
“I think, no, I can do these kinds of things that you say are impossible.”
By ALEX GOSS
A BRITISH climber has smashed his own record for the greatest number of Everest ascents for a foreigner — at 18.
Kenton Cool reached the 29,035ft (8,850m) summit on Sunday, sharing a photo of his team.
The mountain guide, 50, from Gloucestershire, first scaled the peak in 2004, and his 17th climb came last year.
The overall record is held by Nepalese Sherpa Kami Rita, who made it 29 also on Sunday.
Rita wrote: “Gratitude abounds for our resilient Sherpa fixing team and dedicated icefall doctors whose expertise paved the way.”
About 800 climbers are expected to attempt Everest this climbing season from April to June.
Last year was one of the deadliest yet on the mountain with 18 deaths.
