Rock fall sunbather 'inches from death'
A man is recovering in hospital after a large chunk of chalk cliff fell on him while he was sunbathing.
The accident happened just before 2.30pm on Saturday on the beach between Cuckmere Haven and Splash Point, Seaford.
Christopher Toffs, 48, from Seaford suffered a broken pelvis and large, deep cut.
The Newhaven lifeboat, paramedics and Solent Coastguard helicopter all attended.
Mr Toffs was with four friends in two kayaks and a small inflatable. The group had gone ashore to sunbathe when the accident happened.
Robin Scott, a lifeboat crew member who is also a paramedic, said: 'Mr Toffs was conscious but in pain where the rock hit the right side of his abdomen and across his pelvis.
'We administered oxygen and cleaned and dressed the wound, immobilised his legs and pelvis and secured him on a stretcher, in preparation for being winched in to the coastguard helicopter for transfer to Eastbourne District General Hospital.'
Lifeboat coxswain Ian Johns said: 'He is a very lucky man to survive such an incident. He was just inches away from possible death or severe head injuries if the rock had hit his head.'
The full article contains 199 words and appears in Sussex Express Series newspaper.
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Last Updated:
12 May 2008 10:54 AM
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Source:
Sussex Express Series
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Location:
Lewes
