Sean Harris - Solo Channel Swimmer

Sean Harris was a celebrated lifesaver and swimming prodigy. But in 1990 he was injured in a road accident, and, as a result of complications, had to have his leg amputated in 1992.

But he did not let that curb his dream of competing at the Olympics, and in 1996 he was placed seventh in the 100 metre butterfly final at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics.

He went on to become the first Australian amputee to swim the Channel in 1998. After the swim, while still in the water, he proposed to his girlfriend Sue, who he had met at the Paralympics where she was competing for Australia in the equestrian event. They married, and had a daughter Kaitlyn. Mr Harris had a daughter Jessica and son Stephen from his first marriage.

Sean was a cabinet maker and a motivational speaker.

He died In 2008, aged 45, when his four-wheel-drive vehicle overturned near Melbourne.