When did Jacques Cousteau's accident happen? How old was he?

Question

The accident which leaves him with both his arms and legs paralyzed!

Answer 1

In 1935, when he was 26.

"In 1930, Cousteau passed the highly competitive entrance examinations to enter France's Naval Academy. He served in the navy and entered naval aviation school."

"A near-fatal car crash at age 26 denied him his wings, and he was transferred to sea duty, where he swam rigorously to strengthen badly weakened arms."

"Jacques Cousteau remembered for his 'common touch' ", CNN : http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9706/25/cousteau.obit/

"He joined the French Navy in 1930 because of his “love for water and desire to travel and see the world.” However, in 1935, a serious automobile accident left him partially paralyzed without the use of his arms. After 8 months of intensive therapy, Cousteau regained the mobility in his arms and he began to focus his attention on the underwater world."

"Jacques-Yves Cousteau, 87 years of Exploration" : http://www.ecophotoexplorers.com/JacquesCousteau.asp

Answer 2

On January 11, 1996 the Calypso sank in Singapore harbor. In his last years, Cousteau was involved in a legal battle with his son, Jean-Michael over the use of the Cousteau name. Cousteau died on June 25, 1997

His widow Francine said he died of a heart attack at 2:30 a.m. at their Paris home while recovering from a respiratory ailment, which had kept him hospitalized for months.