Warning: Video may cause distress

Sebastián Reyes is lucky to be alive. The 23-year-old fell 17 storeys - around 40 metres - after losing his balance on an appartment balcony and toppling over the rail.

Security cameras in the building recorded the moment he came crashing straight through the roof of a garage below.

His fall was broken by a parked car, which absorbed some of the impact, saving his life.

Amazingly, the young man only fractured his thigh and pelvis in the fall.

Despite losing consciousness, Mr Reyes did not suffer any head injuries. He was taken to hospital and is now recovering in a wheelchair.

The Chilean had been celebrating his national football team's victory over Bolivia in the Copa America when the incident happened on 20 June. The video was only made available in the last hours.

Describing events of that evening, the football fan told the media he had returned with friends to the appartment around 6.30am after a night partying.

When neighbours complained about the noise, they moved onto the balcony and he lost his balance. He recalled falling but felt no pain.

"I felt the fall but nothing more and did not wake up. I woke up in the hospital," he said.

When asked in a TV interview how he managed to survive, Mr Reyes showed a tattoo on his arm with the inscription: "God, don't abandon me."