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Philippe Croizon, No Arm, No Legs To Swim Across English Channel

by NowPublic Staff | June 1, 2010 at 08:14 am

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Frenchman Philippe Croizon, "The Iron Man" To Swim 22 Miles Across English Channel

He lost legs and his arm in a freak electrical accident so 42 year old Phillipe Croizon decided from his hospital bed that he needed to swim across the English Channel.

The English Channel is a 22 mile body of water that separates England and France. Philippe Croizon hopes to do the swim from Folkstone, Kent to Cap-Gris-Nez, near Calais.

In 1994 Philippe Croizon was attempting to fix a TV antenna aerial when it touched a power line sending 20,000 volts of electricity into Croizon.

The accident resulted in Croizon losing his arms and his legs.

He was inspired to attempt the swim after watching a documentary about crossing the Channel from his hospital bed.

‘This is a dream and I’m determined to fulfil it,’ he said, showing off his specially-designed flippers.

‘At first my parents thought the idea was mad, but I was determined to carry on. The more I practice in the sea, the more I feel confident.’

Philippe has been swimming for up to 30 hours a week for the past two years, and building up his body strength in his local gym.

He has modified flippers and an extra long snorkel. Phillipe Croizon will attempt the crossing of the English channel in the summer of 2010 and hopes to complete the 22 mile swim in 24 hours.