CALLS for stricter safety rules for landlords have been made after a man fell from a balcony and was impaled on railings below.

Tom Ross fell from the first floor balcony of his rented flat in Waterloo Street, Hove, on Wednesday at 9.20pm.

Police said the balcony gave way and the 28-year-old landed thigh-first on the cast iron, diamond-shaped railings.

However, the cause of the incident is still unclear and an investigation is ongoing.

Emergency services spent an hour helping him to safety before he was taken to hospital for surgery. He is now recovering at home.

Calls have been made for increased safety measures to prevent further injuries relating to balconies across the city.

Neighbour Bill Cowell said landlords should produce safety certificates for their entire property.

He said: "The regulations only cover gas and electric at the moment - landlords should have a certificate for the whole building. I urge everyone not to trust cast iron railings. They become brittle in the salt air."

Ward councillor Ollie Sykes, said there was "room" for the council to do more.

He said: "I totally understand people's concerns. You think about how many of these railings there are in Brighton and Hove and this is quite frightening.

"I will take this further with council officers and see if there is something we can do."

A council spokesman explained property maintenance rests with the owners, but said the council will establish whether any of their enforcement powers are appropriate.

Neighbours and passersby rushed to the aid of Mr Ross before the emergency services arrived.

Ed Kluz, 35, of Norfolk Square, was leaving a nearby takeaway when he heard a crash and yelling.

He said: "Lots of people came out to hold him up so he didn't slip down. It was horrendous."

Preston Circus firefighter Dave Statham, described the rescue as "brutal."

He said: “We started to cut [the railings] but it became obvious we’d have to lift him off.

“He was quite high up and there were five of us holding him.

“When you cut railings, there is usually a bit of vibration and at this stage his femoral artery wasn’t cut and he really didn’t want to risk it.

“So we dosed him up with painkillers and lifted him off."

He said firefighters attend similar incidents around six times a year in the city.

David Wilkins, of Wilkins Residential, the managing agent of the property, said the balcony was totally overhauled nine years ago.

He added: "The property was also surveyed a month ago and there were no indications of any problems. We are not sure what caused the accident. We won't know until the loss adjuster from the insurance company inspects the building."

Access to the balcony has since been sealed up.

Neither Parklane Development Group Limited, a company listed in the British Virgin Islands, or Catherine Van Tienhoven, who are both registered owners of the flat, could be contacted before going to press.