An Eastbourne man who became impaled on a bedspring "yelped like a chicken", his friend said today.

Firefighters were called to free John Ross, of Cavendish Place, after he called for help yesterday morning.

Mr Ross, 33, had been staying at friend Stuart's house in Seaside after he suffered a blood clot in his chest on Friday.

He said: "I passed out and I couldn't breathe. I was going to be on my own that night and didn't really want to, so Stuart said I could stay at his.

"I wish I hadn't now.

"Everyone has found it quite funny. The way I turned meant the spring twisted right into me. It did hurt but it was also embarrassing. I was in my boxer shorts with these six firemen and two ambulance men."

Stuart, 32, said he had given up his bed for his friend and slept on the floor.

He said: "He shouted he had a spring in his back and asked me to call for an ambulance.

"We then had to call out the fire brigade as well. They only took a few minutes. It was funny to have all those firemen in my flat. I'm glad I slept on the floor now.

"As soon as the spring went in him, he let out a yelp like a chicken, which scared the life out of me.

"When he was being cut free by the firemen I had to stifle my laughter."

Firefighters cut through the mattress to release Mr Ross, who refused to go to hospital.

He said: "I didn't want to go again. They say bad luck comes in threes."

For now Stuart has turned his mattress over but he admitts he could probably do with a new one.