Limbless man swims Channel

A Frenchman whose arms and legs had to be amputated has successfully swum the English Channel.

Philippe Croizon, 42, swam from Folkestone in Kent to Cap Gris Nez in just over 13 hours, reports the BBC.

He had set himself a target of 24 hours and his team believe he has set a record time for a disabled swimmer.

"I did it! It's mad!" Mr Croizon said on arrival, saying he wanted to become 'a representative of someone overcoming his restrictions'.

"I've done this for myself, for my family, and for all those who have suffered tragedy and lost their taste for life," added the father-of-two.

Sixteen years ago, Mr Croizon suffered a severe electric shock while removing a television aerial from a roof.

A current surged through him from a nearby powerline and doctors were forced to amputate his limbs.

Mr Croizon told the BBC that at no point did he feel he was not going to make it, despite pains and aches all over his body.

Philippe Croizon's father said his son had had favourable wind conditions and had even had three dolphins swimming alongside him for a period - a "sign of good luck".