A DAD paralysed in a horror smash after his drink-driving friend crashed head on into another car says he is making it his mission to deter others from driving under the influence.

Greg Sumner, 26, used to describe himself as the "ultimate lad" before he suffered horrific injuries, but is now paralysed from the neck down and requires round-the-clock care.

The young dad was a passenger in his friend Vincent Atkinson's BMW when he smashed into another car while racing against another car on the way home from a night out – killing Vincent and the other driver.

Greg spent five months in a coma after the life-changing crash – but now he says he has been given "a second chance to make a difference".

At the age of 22, he was surrounded by friends and family and had a bright future ahead of him working at DoubleTree by Hilton Cadbury House, in Congresbury, as a sales manager.

Vincent, aged 31, 
was two-and-a-half times over the drink-drive limit as he drove back 
to Cheddar from Weston after the pair had enjoyed a night out in 
town.

A race had broken out between Vincent and a group of young men in another car on the A371 near Axbridge.

Greg told the Weston Mercury: “There was some questionable driving taking place and as we came into Cheddar we were going too fast.”

The pair flew down the busy 40mph road at 70mph, meaning they took a corner too fast and drifted onto the opposite lane.

Dad-of-two Richard Parker, also from Cheddar, was on his way to work when their BMW hit his car head on.

Richard and Vincent – who also had two children – both died instantly and Greg was rushed to hospital in critical condition.

He had 27 broken bones, including his back, and remained in a coma for five months.

He added: “The doctors did not think I was going to live. During my coma, my heart had stopped completely four times, I had total organ failure and had a number of infections.”

But much to the surprise of the doctors, Mr Sumner pulled through and woke up in February 2013.

He said: “About a week or 10 days after I woke up, my brother James and I were watching TV and the news came on and it said it was February.

"I was confused because the crash had happened in October so it then dawned on me just how serious it was.”

Greg spent months in rehabilitation centres and care homes across Somerset, and requires around-the-clock care.

He said he has had to come to terms with the physical impact of the accident, but felt "horrendous" for the four children who lost their fathers.

Greg, who has a five-year-old son called Alfie, said: “I believe I have got to give a bit back for the astronomical price of two fathers and the two lives which were lost. It is the least I could do.”

Since the accident, Greg has been working with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, schools and charities to tell his story to help stop others getting behind the wheel after drinking.

He said: “People need to think and take into account that this could well be the end of their life if they drink and drive.”

He says he has had a huge impact on some peoples’ lives already and has received a great deal of positive feedback from his talks.

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Greg has also been working with youth charity Fixers to make a hard-hitting film which he uses in presentations to highlight the dangers of drink-driving.

He added: “It is awful but then it has made me a better person and every day I am focusing on being a better father to my son.

“I regret the incident and for putting my family through it but I do not regret the person it has made me.”

He has vowed to spend the rest of his life doing what he can for his son and provide him the best possible chance in life.

He added: “When Alfie is older, I will be painting the most horrific picture I can so he can learn from my mistakes.”

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