A New York window cleaner fell 47 stories today while clinging to a piece of scaffolding.

Despite being in critical condition in hospital, and his brother being killed in the fall, doctors say he is incredibly lucky. Around 50% of people who fall a mere four to five stories are killed, and almost everyone who falls 10 to 11 stories dies.

It is estimated that 37 year old Alcides Moreno and his brother, 30 year old Edgar Moreno fell at a speed of 124mph. In kilometres, their speed was almost 200km/h. Mr. Moreno has severe internal injuries, including blood clots on the brain. He also has numerous broken bones.

Can I just say, “Wow.” I can’t believe he survived a fall like that. I mean, we hear of people dying after falling off eight foot high ladders. This guy surfs down a 42 story building on a piece of scaffolding and survives? Lucky, very lucky. I hope he makes a full recovery; it would be incredibly cruel if he didn’t, after surviving the impact itself.