CHAMPION boxer Lee Jenkins says he is ‘living a miracle’ after breaking his back in a horror fall at Symonds Yat.

The 23-year-old from Redhill, Hereford, has vowed to get back into the boxing ring despite also breaking a leg, pelvis and five bones in his back.

Lee has a strong faith in God – and thinks that helped save his life.

“I am so grateful for God and I believe that he has a plan for us all,” said Lee, who attends the Christian Life Centre in Edgar Street.

“Someone fell in Snowdon on the same day as me, but later died in hospital, so I am a living miracle.

“The doctor told me that I could be walking on crutches next week, but it depends on the CT scan on my pelvis.

“I am itching to get out of bed though and get back down the boxing club.”

Lee was with his friend Sam Baker and had completed a number of climbs when he slipped in Symonds Yat on Friday afternoon.

But, thankfully, the Wye Police Amateur Boxing Club member was saved from falling further down the cliff when he became wedged in a tree.

Emergency services took around three hours to rescue him before he was airlifted to Hereford County Hospital. He was then transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham and is hopeful that he could be on crutches by the end of next week.

Lee, who recently competed for England against Wales in an amateur boxing night at Hereford Sixth Form College, also hopes to return to Symonds Yat for Sam’s wedding next month.

“You could see the venue from the cliff and we were talking about going back up there for a climb the day after the wedding,” said Lee.

“I won’t be able to do that now, but it hasn’t put me off climbing.”

Lee, a sports and exercise science student, added that he has received a number a number of goodwill messages, including one from former British featherweight champion Dazzo Williams and Vince McNally, secretary of Wye Police Amateur Boxing Club.

He also wanted to thank Sam and the emergency services.

“Sam was on top of the cliff with me when I became complacent about my surroundings and slipped,” said Lee.

“He climbed down to get to me and was already on the phone to the emergency services.

“He then aided me before they arrived.

“He is a friend for life.”

Mark Abberley, chief executive of the Amateur Boxing Association of England, said he hopes to see Lee back in the boxing ring soon.