Heartbreaking picture shows British sailor left brain-damaged after falling from yacht owned by friend of Roman Abramovich

Engineer Jacob Nicol, 22, is undergoing lifesaving treatment at a hospital in Shropshire after being repatriated from Majorca following the accident earlier this month

Jacob Nicol has been left badly injured after falling from a yacht

These heartbreaking pictures show a British sailor lying in hospital after being left brain-damaged when he fell from a yacht owned by a Russian billionaire friend of Roman Abramovich.
Engineer Jacob Nicol, 22, is undergoing lifesaving treatment at a hospital in Shropshire after being repatriated from Majorca following the accident earlier this month.
His loved ones today released the traumatic pictures of him lying in hospital surrounded by tubes as they appealed for help to fund his medical care.
The sailor suffered injuries his family fear are irreversible after falling into the Med as he cleaned Kibo, a 265ft yacht owned by billionaire Alexander Mamut, near the upmarket Majorcan port of Puerto Portals.
The incident is understood to have happened after the fender hook he was rigged to gave way. He was hit on the head by the 20 kilo hook and spent several minutes underwater before being rescued by the yacht's captain from the bottom of the sea.

Jacob Nicol's family have released this picture of him in hospital as they have appealed for help in raising funds for his treatment

Jacob, a third assistant engineer on Kibo, was in a coma for 10 days at Son Espases Hospital in the Majorcan capital Palma before being repatriated.



The keen West Ham supporter is currently breathing through a tracheostomy tube attached to a ventilator and is on three different antibiotics to fight off infections in his lungs and throat.
His brother admitted today: "The prognosis is very severe brain damage caused by drowning and hospital staff, although doing everything they can within their power, are unsure how much progress he can possibly make."
Revealing the pain Jacob's loved ones are experiencing and the fact they have prepared for the worst, he added: "Jacob is a young, funny, genuine and caring guy. He has made such an impact in so many other people's lives, that we have been truly blessed.

The 22-year-old is now fighting for his life in hospital

"The saddest thing in this situation is reminiscing about the awesome and funny things Jacob has said and done, knowing he may never be the same Jacob we all know and love.
"All of our lives will be different and painful along the way but we are thankful that he is still alive. We will take each day at a time but will remain hopeful that he will regain his strength, character and will recover from this horrendous ordeal."



Kibo's owner Alexander Mamut is said to count Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich as a close personal friend. He has made millions from investments in banking, insurance, publishing, film production, fashion design and radio.
His investment company gained ownership of the British bookstore chain Waterstone's in May 2011. Forbes estimates his personal wealth at around £1.7 billion, classing him the 36th wealthiest man in Russia.
Mr Mamut is not thought to have been on his super yacht, the 74th largest yacht in the world, when the accident happened.