AUSTRIAN Felix Baumgartner has become the first person to skydive across the English Channel. He leapt from a plane above Dover landing 22 miles away in Cap Blanc-Nez near Calais 14 minutes later.

Baumgartner was wearing only an aerodynamic jumpsuit with a 6ft 8m carbon fin strapped to his back, oxygen to breathe, and a parachute to land.

On landing Baumgartner said: "It was total freedom. If you step out of the aeroplane at this altitude, it's perfect because you see the sun rise right over there.

"You're totally alone. There's just you, your equipment, your wing - and your skills. I like it."