People can receive damage to the spinal cord due to an accident, for example a:
Motor accident
Diving mishap
Fall
Sporting accident
Household accident.
Damage can also result from a tumour or blood clot on the spinal cord. The majority of people who have a spinal cord injury are young males (who have a greater tendency to indulge in risky behaviour). However, there are people from both sexes and of all ages with spinal cord damage.