Skateboarder crocked

A skateboarder who is travelling across Australia for charity has ended up on crutches after cutting his foot.

Graphic designer Dave Cornthwaite, 26, from Swansea, is on a coast-to-coast expedition from Perth to Brisbane on his skateboard.

The accident happened after he arrived in Adelaide, roughly half-way through his journey.
But it was during a photo-shoot at the beginning of a three-day rest when he cut his foot.

"It was a freak accident," he explained. "We were doing a photo shoot, jumped up in celebratory pose and landed on a piece of metal. It's not been an easy journey, but I've so far managed to avoid an injury... across the desert is no mean feat, and one pesky piece of metal brings me down."

Mr Cornthwaite said doctors had recommended he stay off his board for two weeks, but he was giving himself one week to recover. He planned to reach Brisbane in the New Year, claiming a new skateboarding distance record, while raising £50,000 for charity.

But because the accident happened at the beginning of a three-day rest, the trip should only be delayed by four or five days, he explained.

After only taking up skateboarding in March 2005, Mr Cornthwaite has said he was inspired to skateboard and raise money for charity after wanting to finish his nine-to-five job.

His charities are the Lowe Trust, Sailability Australia and Link Community Development.