A BIRDWATCHER who fell 100ft down a cliff face cheated death by bouncing off a ledge halfway down.

Police believe hitting the ledge saved the 37-year-old man's life after he fell - smashing every rib and breaking his right arm and shoulder.

Jimmy Howe, who was airlifted by an RAF helicopter following Saturday night's incident at Marsden, South Tyneside, was yesterday recovering in South Tyneside District Hospital.

Mr Howe, of Prince Edward Road, South Shields, also suffered a punctured right lung.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "It is quite incredible that he survived and, from our inquiries so far, it looks like he hit a grass ledge about 50ft down the cliff.

"This would have softened his fall and it probably saved his life, although he is still very, very lucky to be alive."

Mr Howe's 22-year-old stepdaughter, Kelli, said he apparently lost his footing while peering through his binoculars on the cliff top.

She said: "He remembers trying to grab hold of the ledge during the fall. He is extremely lucky to be alive, let alone escape without serious damage."