A JET skier hurled into the cliff face by a powerful wave dragged himself to safety despite having a broken leg.

Joe Brooks, from Seaford, knew he had to move because he could see the high tide mark way above his head.

So, despite his injuries, he fought his way up to a safe ledge – and was stranded there for two hours before rescuers could reach him.

Joe was out on his jet ski off Seaford on Sunday with a friend when the strong wave took control of him and launched him into the cliff face, shattering bones in his leg.

He was eventually winched up the cliff by the coastguard at Splash Point.

Joe, 29, said: “I got smashed into a concrete bollard which was really painful.

“I saw from the tide marks that I wouldn’t be safe at the point I was stuck. I managed to pull myself up to a rock to try and save myself otherwise I definitely would have died. I couldn’t believe what was happening. All I thought is ‘I’m done for here, this is it’.”

While he was clinging to the rocks his jet ski was being taken with the waves and hitting him, making it even more difficult to hold on.

Joe has been jet skiing for seven years and has done safety at sea training sessions with Newhaven Lifeboat.

He was with friend Craig Hart when the accident happened and Craig called the Coastguard from Joe’s mobile phone.

Joe said: “I never usually leave my phone with Craig so on this occasion it is really lucky I did.

“I agree with the Coastguard statement that you should always have a radio but I would say to even take a mobile phone as well and obviously make sure it is waterproof.”

Joe was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton where he received initial treatment for his broken leg.

He is being transferred to East Grinstead’s Queen Victoria Hospital, where he will rest for a week.

His leg was broken in two places, including a shattered tibia.

As he fough for his life, Joe said his only thoughts were for his nine-year-old daughter.

He said: “I would have felt so guilty if she had to go through everything if I did die. She definitely made me want to pull through even more.

“I am just so lucky. I honestly don’t know how I got out of it alive. The Coastguard who got me back to shore was unbelievable as well – I am going to make sure they get a donation from me.”

Joe said he will work to promote safety at sea when he recovers.

He has no plans to go jet skiing again and said he would need to “find a new hobby”.