Girl, 7, paralysed after teen jumps from rock, lands on her back

A seven-year-old girl is paralysed after a freak accident at a campground.

Earlier this month, Sarah Faulkner was swimming in a creek in Tennessee with her older sister when tragedy struck.

A teenage girl jumping off 9-metre tall rock intended to hit the water, however, they landed on Sarah's back.

On impact, Sarah went to the bottom of the creek and hit her head. She was able to get back to the surface and call for help.

Tre Faulkner, her dad, said at the time he and his family were watching a race and did not see the incident.

"Somebody came running and yelling at us that Sarah had been in a bad accident, and she can’t feel her legs," he told FOX.

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Sarah was rushed to hospital following the incident on August 6, where she immediately had surgery.

A GoFundMe set up to benefit the Faulkner family said her fractured spine was repaired by the doctors, however, the seven-year-old is now paralysed from the chest down. She also had 19 staples in her skull.

"The doctors have told the family that they have never seen anyone with these injuries walk again," the GoFundMe said.

An update stated the family has gone to Atlanta for therapy. They remain hopeful that Sarah will be able to walk again, putting their faith in God for a miracle.

The teenager who accidentally jumped on Sarah reportedly ran away from the scene, out of confusion. Sarah has told her family she should be forgiven, Mr Faulkner told WZTV.

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