“His chance of dying was 95%”: Mosman teenager’s miracle recovery after cliff fall.

By JACK KELLY

Mosman teenager Artaban de Lacharriere has spoken for the first time since a catastrophic cliff fall at Queenscliff last year.

The Riverview student chose Mosman Collective to share his horrifying story as part of a quest to raise $20,000 for the hospital that saved his life.

Artaban was celebrating the last day of school with friends when he plunged 15 metres from a rock ledge at the popular beach around 3 pm on November 29.

“The last thing I remember was going around the rocks to Freshwater. I just remember looking at the waves,” Artaban said in an exclusive interview with this publication.

He was rushed to Sydney Children’s Hospital in a critical state, with doctors telling his parents, Antigone and Alexandre, to prepare for the worst.

“When we arrived at the hospital, we asked, is he alive?” Alexandre said, “And then they asked us to say goodbye,” Antigone added.

“His chance of dying was like 95 per cent.”

Despite all odds, the 15-year-old pulled through, opening his eyes on Christmas Eve, five weeks after being put into an induced coma.

“That miracle was massive,” Alexandre said.

“On December 24, we had Artaban back after five weeks of a terrible roller coaster, and our son was born again.

“It was the best Christmas gift you can expect in your life.”

Three months of physical and psychological rehab then followed, with the family crediting medical staff for helping Artaban “find his smile” once again.

Now back at school, the miracle teen is thriving, with a mission to raise $20,000 for Sydney Children’s Hospital in thanks for all they have done.

“I got to do something for them. They saved my life,” Artaban said.

“I had a full-time nurse at the beginning. And I’m sure it wasn’t in their original budget. So, all the funds raised for the hospital will give them more comfort and facilities; I think it’s so important.”

The family is just $3,000 from its target, with all funds going to the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation.

“What happened to us can happen to anyone,” Antigone told Mosman Collective.

“We are so grateful to everyone … the doctors, the paramedics and the nurses. We live in a great country and enjoy life, but you don’t realise that can stop quickly.”

Lifeguard Steve Downman told Mosman Collective that rescue crews feared the worst after locating Artaban at the base of the cliff.

“Because Artaban was in a downward position with his head facing down, one of the lifeguards had to get beneath him and hold him up as others came to help; it was very precarious.”

Artaban had suffered a complex skull fracture, spinal fractures, a punctured lung and severe internal injuries, all of which should have killed him.

“When we arrived at the scene, I knew it was a horrible accident,” Alexandre recalled.

“So I started to run. The policeman tried to stop me. And I say, is he alive? Is he alive? And then I saw all his friends on the beach, and they were all crying.”

“I saw Artaban facing downwards, and I feared the worst.”

Unable to be airlifted, green corridor transport was hastily arranged by emergency services, which allowed an intensive care ambulance a clear run from Manly to the hospital in Randwick.

“It was one of the worst 20 minutes or so of my life,” Alexandre said, “we didn’t know if our boy was going to survive.”

Thankfully, Artaban has made a miraculous recovery and is back at Riverview full-time while managing to surf and play tennis on the weekends.

And while his body isn’t as quick as it once was, Artaban has a new appreciation for life.

“Every day is a gift; you should appreciate everything that happens.”

Can you help Artaban get to his $20,000 target? Please give what you can!