Quadruple amputee swims across English Channel

Man of the moment: French amputee and swimmer Philippe Croizon poses in Wissant, northern France, on Monday after he succeeded in his attempt to swim the English Channel. AFP

Philippe Croizon, 42, had expected the tough crossing to take up to 24 hours — and instead, he finished in only 13 and a half. “I did it, I’m happy, I’m so happy, I can’t believe it, it’s crazy,” he said on Saturday.

Three dolphins joined him for a while. “We took that as a sign of good luck,” said swimmer’s father Gerard Croizon.

Philippe Croizon set off from Folkestone on the British side of the English Channel and arrived near the French town of Wissant. At the narrowest point, the crossing is about 34 km. Croizon’s specially designed leg protheses, which end in flippers, allow him to propel himself through the water.

His truncated upper arms go through the motions of the crawl, and he breathes through a snorkel.