A climbing instructor who narrowly escaped death when he plunged down a rock face is battling his way back to fitness.

James Linford, 52, of Nayland Road, Colchester, was airlifted to hospital with a smashed ankle and other serious injuries after falling about 70ft.

Fighting back to fitness - James Linford

Speaking from his bed in Colchester General Hospital, he described the accident in south Wales.

Mr Linford said: "When I got to the last step, as I lowered myself on to it, all I can remember is my foot slipping from under me as though it was on ice and then I'm flying through the air."

He felt two impacts as he hit a piece of rock sticking out of the cliff, then smashed into the ground about 50ft to 70ft below where he had fallen from.

He said: "I didn't lose consciousness. I just remember being up against a small tree and thinking 'What's the damage?'.

"I didn't feel a lot of pain but I knew my arm was broken and I knew my leg was broken because they were numb and my leg was at a funny angle."

Paramedics, police and fire crews were called out and eventually decided to land an air ambulance up river from where he lay while firefighters carried him to the helicopter.

The father-of-four hopes to be able to climb and canoe again one day, although at the moment, he struggles to walk further than a few yards.

As well as badly breaking his foot, he bruised a lung and broke his wrist, pelvis and two ribs in the fall.

He has enjoyed the support of his wife, Elaine, 45, and his four daughters, as well as many friends and relatives.

Mr Linford's recovery will be aided by Colchester Topnotch Health Club, which has offered free membership for a year while he gets back to fitness.

Published Thursday, January 9, 2003

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