But today, it was an emotional farewell to those who helped him get back on his feet as the 18-year-old left Fiona Stanley Hospital after five months.

“It’s really overwhelming the fact he survived it, let alone he’s walking again, it’s just unreal – and just look at that love,” mother Megan Larson told 9News.

The teenager broke his neck diving into water at Mullaloo beach in March and hitting a sandbank.

His mate saved his life by pulling him onto shore.

Haylett spent a month at Royal Perth Hospital after spinal surgery and was told he may never walk again after being paralysed from the neck down.

“That was strange,” the 18-year-old recalled.

“First couple of days it’s just like your head’s floating then slowly you get some feeling back and I could move my arm.

“It took a couple weeks to get a twitch in my leg.”

He was eventually transferred to Fiona Stanley Hospital for rehabilitation, which included a dozen gym sessions per week.

His recovery progressed quickly, leaving staff stunned.

“He came in with a C5-6 injury, so it’s quite high, he was in a collar and not doing much in bed, so no-one expected him to be as great as he is today,” clinical nurse Monique Carbone told 9News.

Six weeks after the accident, Haylett had an inspirational visit from Thomas Davison, who had suffered the same fate after plunging into a sandbank at Mandurah Town Beach in 2023.

Two years on from his own accident, Davison gave Haylett some hope with the 17-year-old defying the odds and learning to drive.

“I had one goal for myself and that was just to get out of that wheelchair. I’ve succeeded [with] that now,” Davison told 9News earlier this year.

Even though Haylett’s now been discharged, he still has a lot of recovery ahead of him.

He’ll complete eight weeks of rehabilitation at home as well as regular appointments at Fiona Stanley Hospital.

The Western Power apprentice is looking forward to getting back to work, driving his car and hopefully playing sport.

His advice for those recovering from serious injuries is to really put in the effort.

“You get what you put into it,” he said.

“All the physio and staff are here to help, just try and do as much as you can. Everyone’s different so you don’t know how it’s going to end up but just make the best of it.”