A car mechanic given a luxury beach holiday by his boss for his hard work is in a coma with brain damage after he was hit by a jet ski the day after he arrived.

Victim Daniel Herrera Echavarría, 23, was swimming in the sea with two friends when they were rammed by a tourist on an out-of-control jet ski on Friday, 3rd February.

While his pals escaped with cuts and bruises, Daniel was hit in the head so hard it caused serious brain injuries, according to local media, in Cartagena, Colombia.

He lost his right eye and doctors are now waiting for swelling in his brain to subside before they operate again, reported local media.

He is currently in a coma at an intensive care unit.

One of his friends told local media: “He is still stable, but he has serious injuries to his skull that compromised part of his brain.

“They had to operate on him immediately to save his life and now they are waiting for the brain to deflate to see how it evolves.”

Ironically, Daniel had been gifted the holiday by his boss in Yarumal, Antioquia Department, for his hard work, according to local media.

Daniel and his friends arrived a day before the accident (2nd February) and had been staying in Playa de Bocagrande resort in the coastal city of Cartagena, known for its long, sandy beaches and promenades.

It is unclear if the authorities are investigating the incident.