A MAN who fell off the top of England's highest waterfall has escaped with just a broken shoulder.

Police said he is the only one ever to survive the 80-foot plunge over High Force, in County Durham, out of more than 80 people.

Last night, two men involved in rescuing the 50-year-old from the waters said they feared he was dead.

The man, who was visiting the Teesdale beauty spot with his wife, is thought to have been taking photographs when he tumbled backwards off its sheer cliffs.

His wife and crowds of tourists could only watch as he fell into the swirling plunge pool, narrowly avoiding the rocks below.

Naman Shahine, 26, who was visiting High Force for the first time with friends, said: "I saw this man in the whirlpool. Too many people were just looking but no one was going in.

"I went out to him, he was just lying in the water, I thought he was dead. The water was so cold, and there were huge stones in there.

"I pulled him back to the land, still thinking he may have died - he had blood coming from his mouth and his right arm was limp. But when we got out of the water, he was alive. I was so very, very happy. "

Police, firefighters, search and rescue teams and the air ambulance were alerted shortly after 1.30pm on Saturday - but the man had already been pulled out of the water when they arrived.

The man, who was on holiday from Nottingham, was airlifted to the University Hospital of North Durham, where he was recovering last night from a broken shoulder and cuts to his head.

Inspector Sue Robinson, of Durham Police, said: "All this gentleman suffered was broken bones. He has been incredibly lucky. I would be buying a lottery ticket if I was him."

Grant Darrie, 64, from Sadberge, near Darlington, saw the fall. He said: "His arms were waving as he fell, I really thought he wouldn't survive. I ran round to the other side of the river so I could help get him out. I helped to pull him in with two other men, it was just the human thing to do. I'm amazed how slight his injuries are."

Police plan to nominate Mr Shahine, a Kurd living in Darlington, for an award for his "outstanding act of bravery". But Mr Shahine said: "I am no hero, I only did what was right."