Philippe Croizon: quadruple amputee swimmer's £20,000 wheelchair returned Philippe Croizon's custom-designed wheelchair was stolen in France Limbs were amputated after he suffered freak 20,000 volt accident in 1994 Mr Croizon: 'They've stolen my autonomy' Found by bus driver on Friday and handed over to him today Callous: Thieves stole the wheelchair of a limbless French adventurer Philippe Croizon Guilt-ridden thieves who stole a £20,000 custom-made wheelchair from quadruple amputee French swimmer Philippe Croizon have returned it. Mr Croizon was staying with family at a house in northern France when a trailer containing his wheelchair was stolen. But the Frenchman who was the first quadruple amputee to swim across the English Channel was reunited with his wheelchair today. It was left by the thieves in a car park on Friday and found by the driver of a bus for handicapped people. 'He only called me on Monday evening to tell me about it, after watching a report on this case' on French television, Mr Croizon told AFP. The 44-year-old, whose limbs were amputated after he suffered a freak 20,000 volt accident in 1994, had previously appealed for its return. 'They haven't just stolen my wheelchair, they've stolen my autonomy,' Mr Croizon said after the theft of the wheelchair and its trailer. 'I feel sad and angry,' he said. Let them keep the trailer if they want, but at least give back the wheelchair. Last year Mr Croizon made history by swimming across four intercontinental channels. He is only the second person to swim the Bering Strait. American long-distance swimmer Lynne Cox was the first to swim the route in 1987. Croizon became a quadruple amputee when he was severely electrocuted by a 20,000 volt charge while he attempted to install a television antenna on his roof in 1994. Bereft: 'They haven't just stolen my wheelchair, they've stolen my autonomy,' said Mr Croizon It is believed the first shock stopped his heart beating, while the second actually jolted it back into action and saved his life. Over a period of several months surgeons attempted to save his limbs but were eventually forced to amputate his arms and legs. A keen sportsman prior to his accident Croizon spent months in hospital followed by years of physical re-education. He has battled depression and despondency to return to the world of sporting achievement. Amputee makes history: Philippe Croizon, right, has swum all four intercontinental channels with swimming partner Arnaud Chausserie, left, after all four limbs were amputated when he was electrocuted La Victoire: Quadruple amputee Philippe Croizon (right) celebrated alongside his swimming partner Arnaud Chassery, their successful swim from Alaska to Russia Not long after his accident, Croizon was inspired after watching an American woman swim the English Channel. Using specially adapted artificial legs fitted with giant flippers, Croizon became the first quadruple amputee to cross the 21-mile English Channel in 13.5 hours in 2010. After he crossed the channel he put his elaborate plan to swim all four intercontinental channels into action, dubbed "Swimming Beyond Borders." Wetsuit mishap: Croizon swum from Papua New Guinea to Indonesia in a customised wetsuit, pictured, but on the final journey, his specifically designed wetsuit for the arctic water did not fit and he was forced to wear a thin wetsuit in the icy water Preparing: Philippe Croizon (left), and his swimming partner Arnaud Chassery (right) survey the waters from the Diomede Island, in Alaska on August 15 2012, before their journey Croizon risked getting hypothermia because he had to wear a thin wetsuit after his customised one did not fit properly. He said after the event: "The final stage of the challenge in Alaska was the hardest thing I've ever had to do because the weather conditions were so bad so I was very exhausted when we finished. Water is soothing for me and a much better environment for my body compared to being in a wheelchair. "I've got no plans for any big challenges in the near future but "never say never" but now I'm going to get some sleep."