A man who lost his wallet three decades ago while on a boating trip has finally been reunited with it - but the amazing discovery is a reminder of the day his life changed forever.

Revealing his story to the Daily Mail, former Queensland MP Rob Pyne admits that he was never much of a "boatie", but opted to take his father-in-law up on an invitation to enjoy a sunny day out sailing near the Cairns Esplanade.

While out on the boat, Pyne decided to dive into the water - but tragically misjudged the depth.

At the age of 23, he suffered a broken spine - an injury that would see him unable to walk and confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

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During that fateful jump, Pyne had a waterproof wallet tucked between his speedos and shorts, containing his driving license, bank cards, and cards.

And - somewhat unbelievably - Pyne has now been reunited with the wallet after it was discovered in the mudbanks by Yorkey's Knob Boat Club as they prepared to build a new ramp.

Most people are obviously overjoyed when they're reunited with a lost wallet, but for Pyne, it serves as a bittersweet reminder his life was changed forever.

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He told the Mail: "When I saw the wallet I thought about the opportunities lost over the years and what might have been if I hadn't climbed out of the boat."

"I haven't had a license since then because I have limited use of my arms to drive a car, but it's one of the things I really miss," he added.

Sharing an image of the wallet on contents to his Facebook page, Pyne wrote alongside the post:

"There’s been a lot of strange coincidences in my life, but getting a Facebook message from the Yorkies Knob Boat Club this week that they found my wallet in the mud is right up there. It must’ve washed up from the time I dived out of a boat and broke my neck 30 years ago."

Pyne did not let his injuries hold him back, and went on to marry the love of his life, Jenny, from his bed in the Princess Alexandra Hospital's Spinal Unit.

The couple also welcomed a child through IVF treatment.

Focusing then on his education, Pyne would go on to graduate from James Cook University in 1999 with a degree in history and politics, which he would supplement with a law degree from Queensland University of Technology in 2002.

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In 2015, he was elected Australia's first quadriplegic member of parliament - a position he used to advocate for environmental and disability issues.

A truly incredible individual with an incredible story to tell.

Featured image credit: Travelscape Images / Alamy

Wallet lost at sea for 30 years is finally returned to owner - but it's a bittersweet reminder of tragedy that left him paralyzed