Sunbather's miracle escape from death

1:39pm Sunday 11th May 2008

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A sunbather had a miracle escape from death after a large boulder fell 200ft from a cliff and landed on his stomach as he slept on a beach.

Christopher Toffs, from Seaford, suffered a broken hip and a severe gash in his abdomen in the freak accident.

The lifeboat crew which treated him said the boulder, which was four times the size of a melon, could have killed him.

Mr Toffs had been kayaking with his wife and three friends on Saturday when they stopped to sunbathe on the beach at Seaford Head.

The 48-year-old was relaxing when a rockfall dislodged several boulders from the cliff at about 2.30pm.

One of Mr Toffs' friends dialled 999 and Newhaven lifeboat, backed by the coastguard and police helicopters, attended.

Ian Johns, the lifeboat's coxswain, said: "Mr Toffs is a very lucky man to survive such an incident.

"He was just inches away from possible death or severe head injuries.

"I would also like to praise the teamwork of my crew on the beach, Robin Scott, Phill Corsi and Gavin Butcher, and the Solent Coastguard helicopter."

Mr Toffs was assessed by Mr Scott, a trained paramedic, before being winched into the coastguard helicopter and flown to Eastbourne District General Hospital, where he underwent surgery.

Mr Scott said: "Mr Toffs was found to be conscious but in pain where the rock had hit the right side of his abdomen and his pelvis.

"We administered oxygen and cleaned and dressed the wound, immobilised his legs and pelvis, and secured him in a stretcher, in preparation for being winched into the coastguard helicopter for transfer."

Following the incident, health and safety officials were called in to check the stability of the cliffs.

Do you know Mr Toffs or did you see the rockfall? Call The Argus on 01273 544516.