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Former rugby player, 71, survives mountain plunge

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-08-13 09:33

CHAMBERY, France  - A 71-year-old Frenchman survived a perilous 30-metre (100-foot) fall into a ravine in the Alps, escaping with only minor scrapes, emergency services said Tuesday.

A 71-year-old Frenchman survived a perilous 30-metre (100-foot) fall into a ravine in the Alps, escaping with only minor scrapes, emergency services said Tuesday. The elderly said his 14 years of playing rugby is what saved him as he knew how to roll up during the fall. [Agencies]

The holidaymaker from the southwestern Perigord region was walking on a mountain road Friday night in the town of Saint-Martin-d'Arc, when he was surprised by the lights of an approaching car and tripped over a barrier into the gorge below, the Dauphine Libere said.

He was recovered by emergency services at the foot of the ravine, and was treated for light injuries on his arm and head.

"I played rugby for 14 years... so I knew how to roll up for the fall," he told the paper.