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PAUL VAN DYK TALKS ABOUT HIS RECOVERY FROM LIFE-THREATENING STAGE FALL

The trance DJ suffered a broken spine and brain trauma earlier this year...

Paul Van Dyk has opened up for the first time about his life-threatening stage fall at an A State Of Trance event in February, explaining the progress of his recovery.

The DJ/producer was hospitalised after reportedly falling 15-20 feet through a gap in the side of the stage at the event in Utrecht. As a result, he suffered a traumatic brain injury, broken spine, bruising and an open wound on the back of his head.

Speaking to Billboard about the fall, Van Dyk said, “The first prognosis that was given to my mom and my fiancé the day after the accident was that we can be really happy if the organs that are necessary to be alive will keep functioning.”

The German was wheelchair bound for weeks after the accident, as well being required to learn to walk, speak and eat again.

Going on to talk about where his recovery finds him today, he said, “[It’s] still a long way until I’m at the point where I want to be - and the point that I came from.

"If you have a neurological issue, no case is like the other. In one or two years, I may be back to 100 per cent, or should I say, the new 100 per cent. The doctors say I won’t be able to do as much as I used to do. It’s a long way; it’s a very hard way.”

The outlook is promising though, as Van Dyk did announce his return to DJing in May, and currently has a schedule that sees him on deck in Ibiza and at EDC Las Vegas, as well as planning a new album in 2017.

Rob McCallum is DJ Mag’s digital news writer. Follow him on Twitter here.