Philippe Croizon: Quadruple Amputee Swims English Channel

In a bid to inspire those who have "lost their taste for life," Philippe Croizon, a man whose arms and legs were amputated, has completed a swim across the English Channel.

Philippe Croizon used specially designed leg prostheses to propel himself through the water, helped by the crawl motion of his truncated upper arms.

A snorkel helped him breathe.

"I've done it," he said upon reaching the French coastline near Calais, the Daily Mail reported. "It's mad. I've done this for myself, for my family, and for all those who have suffered tragedy and lost their taste for life."

In 1994, Croizon lost his arms and legs after suffering an electric shock as he stood on a ladder adjusting his television antenna, which touched a power line.

The 42-year-old Frenchman had expected the tough crossing to take up to 24 hours, but he finished in only 13 and one-half hours.

Philippe Croizon, armless, legless man, parachutes. — Youtube

It wasn't Croizon's first high-profile athletic feat since the accident. In 2007, he made headlines for parachuting from an airplane.