A DJ who broke 28 bones after plummeting off a balcony in Malta says people cannot believe he survived after almost sleepwalking his way to an early death.

Paul Cartwright was celebrating his 45th birthday with girlfriend Danielle Hickey on the day his life changed.

The couple returned to their hotel after a meal and Paul, who said he had two glasses of wine, went to the balcony to read his book and smoke a cigarette.

"I was having a good read and that’s all I can remember," Paul, who described having "such a good holiday", said.

Paul, who now lives in Downham, spoke to News Shopper from his bed in Kings College Hospital.

READ: Miracle Man: Bromley DJ who plummeted off Malta balcony returns to the UK

He has not walked since the four storey fall on August 15 after spending two and a half weeks in an induced coma.

The father of twin girls said he was not drunk and would not self-harm and believes his history of sleepwalking must be the cause of the freak accident.

"I was out on holiday with the love of my life and bosh - it could happen to anybody," he said.

News Shopper:

Paul has a smashed pelvis, a broken femur and foot, internal bleeding, fractured neck bones and cracked ribs but he has not lost his sense of humour.

"I’m a Marvel superhero now," Paul, who also had part of his bowel removed, laughed on the phone to News Shopper. "I had never even broken one bone before this."

He was airlifted from Malta to Biggin Hill on Saturday (21 September) before being taken to Kings College Hospital.

His twin daughters were celebrating their 10th birthdays when their dad finally returned.

"I love my girls," Paul said. "They have been my guiding light through this.

"I told myself I am not going to die like this and they kept coming into my mindset."

Paul said he was "lucky to be alive" and said it was his girlfriend Danielle who found him after getting up in the middle of the night.

The father reportedly landed on his leg and was found in a bush after the 80ft drop.

"I’m happy I’m alive to be a dad to my beautiful daughters," Paul said.

He will spend the next five or six weeks in hospital and it may take years to make a full recovery.

Paul said his ambition is to learn how to walk again and he has started a fundraiser to help with rehabilitation costs.

He hopes his travel insurance will cover some of the air ambulance fees (more than £20,000) and he is now asking for financial support to help his recovery.

"I can’t believe how many kind words and good will messages have been sent to me and my family," Paul added.

"My friends are still shocked I'm here.

"I told them I survived because I'm ginger and from all the beatings I have taken," he laughed from his hospital bed.