Diver hits head on platform during 27.5 metre leap

A U.S. diver came centimeters from terrifying injury when he smashes his head onto a diving board in front of 75,000 people during a complicated stunt.

Steven LoBue, 29, was taking part in the Red Bull cliff diving world series in La Rochelle, France, this week when the freak accident took place.

Footage of the event shows LoBue, who lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, standing backwards on the edge of the board, ready to leap 27.5 metres from the top of the city's Saint Nicholas Tower.

He twists through in a spinning somersault - but comes in too close to the board and smacks his forehead on the flat edge as he falls.

Incredibly, LoBue manages to complete his dive, and makes a safe landing in the waters below.

Steven LoBue came away with only a minor injury. Photo / Red Bull

Concerned rescue divers rush towards him as whistles blare out and spectators wince - but LoBue quickly brings his head above water and signals that he's OK.

Just minutes later, sporting a raw-looking cut and a large bandage over his left eye, LoBue gave an upbeat interview, making clear he was shaken, but hoping to rally for the next round of the contest.

He told the cameras: "I think that one just got the best of me a little bit!

"But I made it down to the water safely, I finished the whole dive, so I'm happy about that. Just gotta shake it off and get ready for Texas."

- Daily Mail