Cliff fall man is fighting back

The Dutchman who fell off the cliffs at Għajn Tuffieħa last weekend has been dubbed the ‘miracle man’ by doctors as he fights to recover from multiple head injuries. It is still too early to assess if he has sustained lasting damage, but friends of Dennis Van Asch, 31, said his progress had defied medical expectations, and he was moved from Mater Dei’s Intensive Care to the Neuro Surgical Ward on Friday. Just over a week after he fell 21 metres and was dramatically airlifted to hospital, Mr Van Asch is aware of his surroundings and able to communicate with friends and family, even displaying his trademark sarcasm on occasions. Though confined to bed, the Marsascala resident is apparently moving his limbs and neck so often that friends and family have to encourage him to rest. He flits in-and-out of sleep and doctors say he has a long way to go as he has still not recovered from head injuries completely, but “his speech and movement is incredible considering what happened,” said close friend and former housemate Jeff Muscat, who was with Mr Van Asch when he fell. The incident occurred on April 20 at a sunset barbecue organised by Mr Muscat for fellow enthusiasts of ‘Couchsurfing’ –...