THIS young man was left paralysed below his waist and on one side of his body after a tragic cycling accident.

Dan Black, 22, of Mathern, was set for a career in the army but will now need full-time care.

Family and friends are now raising money in the hope a treatment can be found to regain his independence - and have already raised more than £10,000 in just one day of campaigning.

The accident took place at 6.45pm on December 2, when Mr Black was cycling down the A48 on his way to work at the Chepstow Tesco, where he worked on the fish counter.

He was involved in a car accident which caused him to break his back, damage his spleen and a kidney, break two ribs, break his collar bone and fracture his skill.

An artery was also pulled from his neck causing him to have a stroke.

His back injury left him paralysed below the chest, while his stroke caused him to have no feeling on the right-hand side of his body.

Mr Black was in an induced coma for five weeks - initially in the Royal Gwent but later in the University of Wales Hospital, Cardiff.

Last week Mr Black was moved to Rookwood Hospital - a rehabilitation centre in Cardiff.

As he has lost the use of his right arm and hand, the aim is for staff there to teach him how to use his left hand.

The accident is made even more tragic by the fact that, according to his family, Mr Black was due to start training with the Army at the end of February.

Mr Black wanted to join the 1st Battalion the Rifles, Beachley, with ambitions to eventually serve in the special forces, and had put great efforts to get fit for the role.

“He took his BMW off-the-road so he could cycle everywhere and he was going to the gym every night.

“He was the most committed person I’d ever known who wanted to go into the army,” said his mum Michaela Black, 41.

But now he will need a full-time carer, with the accident causing tremendous emotional pain for the family.

“It’s just been a horrendous emotional rollercoaster,” said Mrs Black.

Both her and her husband Richard, 47, have had to give up work since the accident and have been by their son’s side since he was hospitalised.

Police said no-one has been arrested in relation to the incident.

A spokeswoman said officers have spoken to all parties involved including the driver of the vehicle, and enquiries are ongoing.

Thousands raised in fundraising campaign

GENEROUS friends and family have already raised £10,100 for Dan Black in just one day of campaigning.

Mr Black’s family are hoping to raise cash in the hope an advanced medical treatment can be found to improve his standard of living.

On Saturday a fundraiser at Mathern Village Hall brought in £7,800.

It was held on the same day a party at the Severn Bridge Club, held by Chepstow Tesco, raised £1,500.

To cap it all, a sponsored run on Saturday across the old Severn crossing also raised £800.

Future events are planned, and on March 6 an event will be held to raise money for Mr Black at the Millers Arms, Mathern.

The pub will host local band One Sick Lizard, and will also raise cash at future Six Nations matches.

Members of the public can donate directly to the Help Dan Black Fund at the Lloyds Bank Branch, Manor Way, Chepstow, or call family friend Tracey Cameron on 07769502981.