Amputee crosses channel

SYDNEY - An Australian man on Monday became one of only six amputees to swim across the English Channel.

Michael Powell, a 55-year-old from Brisbane in the state of Queensland, who lost part of his left leg in a tractor accident when he was only 4 years old, completed the swim in 15 hours and 25 minutes.

The swim, a 32-kilometer test of endurance, has seen Powell raise A$13,000($10,325) for charity so far, and he said that the crossing was a real test of his mettle.