ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - A senior at Jefferson High School in Jackson County is in the hospital after suffering a severe neck injury during a wrestling competition on Thursday.

Dominic Haines was hurt at the Georgia High School Association State Championships in Macon, the school’s athletics association said. He was rushed into surgery and has since been stabilized.

Haines has been a wrestler for the past four years and competed in the state championships annually, according to his online fundraiser.

“He is a very outgoing young man whom everyone loves,” the fundraiser said.

In a social media update, Dominic’s father, Zach Haines, said his son broke his neck. The surgeons put a cage around his spinal cord to ease the pressure.

Dominic didn’t have any feeling from the shoulders down at first but has since regained feeling in his chest, his father said.

“He woke up briefly and was trying to sit up,” he wrote. “The boy is a fighter and I hope he keeps that spirit through this.”

As of Friday morning, the community has donated $23,000 to the online fundraiser, which has a goal of $28,000.

”This is going to be a long road for Dominic and I truly believe having an army behind him will be all the difference!" his father said.

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First as we learn more.

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