Former UGT Leader Torres Couto Reveals Heartbreaking Struggle After Highway Crash Leaves Him Quadriplegic

Former UGT Secretary-General Torres Couto Quadriplegic After Highway Accident

Torres Couto, the former secretary-general of the UGT, has been left quadriplegic following a severe accident on the highway two weeks ago. The 78-year-old former PS deputy was traveling with his wife between Setúbal and Lisbon when the incident occurred. In an interview with CNN Portugal, he shared his ordeal, emphasizing that while the seatbelt saved his life, it also caused irreversible injuries.

The Fateful Moment on the Highway

"I was in the middle lane of the highway when it suddenly started raining heavily. My wife was driving. At that exact moment, a car skidded and hit us from behind. We slid nearly 300 meters on the highway, spinning out of control, and crashed into another car," he explained.

Immediate Aftermath and Emotional Impact

"Right at the moment of impact, I felt the seatbelt holding me tight, and I became quadriplegic instantly," Couto recounted. He expressed relief that his wife escaped with minor injuries, saying, "I thought she had died. But I had no sensation from the neck down. Fortunately, I saw her outside the car, which gave me some peace. But I lost everything. I just thought I was going to die in that instant."

Unbearable Pain and a Plea for Forgiveness

Couto recalled the pain as "immense," describing it as "like receiving 300 or 400 electric shocks every moment. It's a horrible, horrible, horrible thing." He mentioned that the driver of the other vehicle apologized to him while he was in the ambulance.

The Fight of His Life

Now, the historic union leader admits he is fighting "the biggest battle" of his life. "At first, my wish was to die. But I do everything they ask to improve my movements, with tears, pain, always close to my family, who are desperate about my situation."

A Call for Road Safety Reforms

In closing, he made a sobering observation: "The Portuguese are the only people in Europe who drive the same way, whether in heavy rain or bright sun. And that is a cause. The second cause is mobile phones. The government must launch a more aggressive campaign, and there must be relentless vigilance against mobile phone use while driving."