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This holidaymaker got the shock of his life as he soaked up rays on a beach in Heligoland, an island in northern Germany. Pilot Juergen Drucker, 52, came within inches of colliding with the man as he flew his Piper PA-28-181 Archer II along the coast. Seconds after passing over the man the plane hit a fence and then ploughed across a section of the beach before coming to rest on the runway.

He said: 'It was me that was flying and I am really sorry. I have to say, as the pictures show, that it wasn't one of my greatest achievements in the cockpit. 'In my defence I can say that I didn't see him because he was lying down and I'm just very grateful it worked out well and I didn't land on him. I don't want to say any more than that. I fear I will be in for a fine from the Federal Aviation Office but I hope I will be able to keep my licence.'