Injured elderly man asking for death

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- The family of an 83-year-old man in the Canadian city of Winnipeg says their relative, who was injured in a recent car accident, wants to die.

Members of Joseph La Spina's family say since the elderly man was paralyzed from the neck down in a car accident, he has been asking to be taken off the life-support system keeping him alive, the Winnipeg Free Press reported Sunday.

La Spina's daughter-in-law, Christina, said there is no hope the 83-year-old will ever walk again and he cannot breathe without the help of his life-support machines.

"The doctor said, 'There's no hope for you, you're paralyzed,'" Christina La Spina said. "This has turned out to be a total tragedy."

The elder La Spina, who has yet to set a date for life support removal, was hit by a van Feb. 3 while walking. The impact left him with two damaged cervical bones, causing the paralysis.

Regulations in the province of Manitoba require the presiding doctor to ascertain if the patient fully understands his or her request and is mentally stable before allowing the patient to come off life support.