A man suffered a horrific injury when he split his head open on Dymchurch’s notorious beach steps.

James Tedder was one of four people injured slipping on the Sea Wall steps in the same incident.

Two other victims were ambulancemen helping him.

Mr Tedder, 66, of Marlie Holiday Park in New Romney, said: “If that had been a small child they would be dead.

“It was sunny and the steps looked dry. The hospital said I was lucky not to have cracked the base of my skull. I just want to make sure everyone is warned of the dangers”

Mr Tedder and his wife Julie, 51, were injured when they walked their dogs last Thursday, taking the steps near the Martello car park.

He slipped as he walked down them, splitting the back of his head. As Mrs Tedder went to help him she slipped, suffering slight bruising.

“I thought he was dead because his eyes were staring, but he was alive and cold and shaking" - Mrs Tedder

Mrs Tedder said: “There was blood pouring from the back of Jim’s head near the neck.

“I thought he was dead because his eyes were staring, but he was alive and cold and shaking.

“I ended up covered in blood from his injuries.”

The ambulance service was called at about 4.10pm.

One paramedic helping carry Mr Tedders away also slipped on the steps, injuring his back. Meanwhile an ambulance technician slipped and fell, suffering face and head injuries.

Mrs Tedder said: “He came down the steps and and smacked his face. He also cut his ear.”

Bystanders had also come to help including an off-duty policewoman walking her dog.

She helped carry Mr Tedder to the ambulance on a stretcher.

Mr Tedder was treated in Ashford’s William Harvey Hospital and needed five stitches in the back of his head. but he had not fractured his skull.

Pressure from the force of the blow caused two swollen and black eyes.

Mr Tedder was discharged from hospital that night but didn’t regain his sight for another two days.

Apart from warning others the couple also want to thank all who had helped them, including the policewoman.

Mrs Tedder said: “The only thing we know about her is that she had a dog called Bella but we would like to find her and thank her in particular as she helped carry the stretcher and ended up covered in blood as well.”