Bungee jumper fights for life.

A 23-year-old bungee jumper was fighting for his life last night after hitting the ground during a 180-ft charity plunge.

His family were among 300 spectators to see 18-stone Christopher Thomas fall, suffering critical head and spinal injuries.

A harness is thought to have slipped off his ankles.

Christopher, from Cardiff, was about the 20th of 100 people booked to bungee.

It is thought he may have been one of the organisers.

Witnesses saw him refuse to jump twice before plucking up the courage.

The first 19 jumpers - all smaller than Christopher - landed safely, the elasticated rope breaking their fall 30 feet from the ground.

Witness Christine Edwards was with her six-year-old daughter at the fun day at the Old Barn pub in Morriston, south Wales.

She saw the equipment being weight tested.

But she said: "He hit the gravel with a terrible thud."

Sharon Leyshon, 32, added: "It was dreadful - like something from a nightmare."

Sian Jenkins did the jump just before the victim. She said: "I didn't notice anything wrong with the harness."

All those taking part were raising funds for the neurological unit at Morriston Hospital in Swansea, south Wales.

Christopher was being treated there last night.

The event was cancelled after the accident and police sealed off the area.

A South Wales force spokesman said: "There seems to have been a fault with the bungee equipment."