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The moment GB surfer Andrew Cotton wiped-out riding monster wave

A British surfer has broken his back after falling off while riding a huge wave.

Andrew Cotton, from Devon, suffered the wipeout in Nazare, Portugal and was rescued by a team including local lifeguards.

He posted on social media from his hospital bed: "Thanks to everyone who helped this morning

"Everyone was really calm, you guys really saved my back, which unfortunately is broken but definitely could be worse, so thank you."

More on this story, and other Devon and Cornwall news

9 November 2017

A wallaby seen in a garden

Wayward wallaby spotted in Devon garden

The Australian marsupial is seen grazing in the Devon garden before hopping away.

Kitesurfer Tom Bridge leaps from cruise ship

Ship leap 'probably scariest thing I've done'

Kitesurfer Tom Bridge leaps 129ft (39m) from the top of a cruise ship and makes a smooth landing.

The Reverend Leigh Winsbury works out at his gym in Hatherleigh, Devon

Vicar opens gym in church building

The Reverend Leigh Winsbury says the cut-price gym is open to worshippers and weightlifters.

Young person talking into a microphone being held in front of them

Young voters share their election priorities

The cost of living, the environment and better mental health support were among the issues raised.

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Pirates Weekend returns for swashbuckling fun

Thousands of pirates are descending on Plymouth for a weekend of fun and entertainment.

Laura Crane at Nazare

UK surfer in a class of her own

Laura Crane gets towed into a monster wave at Nazare.

Charlotte Cheshire's video diary

Devon mum's video diary tells home-find struggle

Charlotte Cheshire speaks of the battle for an affordable home and council-funded emergency housing.

Newsround presenter Nina Blissett in front of a screen showing an unearthed unexploded WW2 bomb.

World War Two bomb safely exploded out at sea

A World War Two bomb has been safely exploded out at sea after being discovered in a back garden in Plymouth.

Cyclist and tractor

Video: Dashcam footage show driving offences

Vision Zero South West says last year was the busiest year since the operation was set up in 2019.

Ponies

Patients treated to festive visit from ponies

Festive ponies have been visiting Derriford Hospital's ICU garden in Plymouth.

Keyframe #5

Police puppies put through their paces

Two litters of German shepherd puppies are on track to become Devon and Cornwall police dogs.

Erasure

Artist wants people to rub out her work

Why artist Fran Gynn is giving people an eraser and asking them use rub out her work.

Steve Wharton goes out with his children

First time outside in 18 months for man with MND

Steve Wharton took his children to soft play on his first trip out of the house in more than a year.

South Sands Hotel

Doors burst open as waves crash into hotel

Storm Ciarán brings chaos to a hotel as sea-facing doors are blown off their hinges by huge waves.

Car in the sea

Devon and Cornwall battered by wind and waves

Watch as Storm Ciarán causes flooding and damage in Devon and Cornwall.

Keyframe #3

Car washed into sea gets smashed about by waves

The 4x4 vehicle was left unattended when it was dragged off a promenade during Storm Ciarán.

Car overtaking on A road

Poor driving in Devon and Cornwall caught on camera

A record number of submissions is made to the police road safety initiative Operation Snap.

Blackberries in a hand

Early blackberries sign of 'climate breakdown'

Early fruiting from blackberries is a sign of "climate breakdown", an expert forager claims.

Swimmer

Long-distance swimmer tackles the Hudson River

Lewis Pugh says the 315 mile (507km) swim is one of his most challenging yet.

Keyframe #1

Students finish coast path walk on breakwater

The Devon Royal Navy students were granted access to the breakwater to finish the walk.