Teacher paralysed by welly wanging accident to sue (From News Shopper)
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Wilmington Enterprise College teacher Glenn Blair-Ford broke his neck while welly wanging
4:02pm Monday 9th July 2012 in Health News By Kelly Smale
Glenn Blair-Ford
A TEACHER who was paralysed during a welly wanging event on a school trip is suing the adventure centre.
Glenn Blair-Ford broke his neck in April 2007 when he took part in a mini Olympics event on the last night of a week-long trip to River Dart Country Park in Devon, which was organised by CRS Adventures.
The 45-year-old, who was head of design and technology at Wilmington Enterprise College, in Common Lane, Wilmington, competed in the welly wanging competition with pupils and teachers.
The game involved seeing who could throw a wellington boot the furthest but Mr Blair-Ford was asked to throw his welly backwards between his legs.
As he threw the welly, he fell forwards and landed on his head.
The father-of-two said: "When my head hit the ground I had a strange sensation, a feeling like my body was shutting down, like a switch was flicked and my body was powered down.
"I couldn’t feel anything and I couldn’t move.
"One of my colleagues had to get my phone out of my pocket and hold it to my ear so that I could speak to my wife.
"She later told me that I sounded very distressed and scared. I then started to lose consciousness."
Mr Blair-Ford is now completely paralysed from the neck down and lives in a care home in Bromley.
He is only able to breathe himself for an hour each day, and the rest of the time he depends on a mechanical ventilator.
Mr Blair-Ford’s solicitor, Rebecca Dixon of Stewarts Law, said: "Not only has Mr Blair-Ford suffered devastating injuries, he can no longer live with his wife and family as their home is unsuitable.
"He faces a very difficult future and we will be claiming compensation to help him regain as much of his independence and family life as possible."
She added: "Compensation will help to cover the costs of care, accommodation, medical treatment and other expenses that he will incur in the years to come, as well as restore financial security for his family."
CRS Adventures Ltd denies liability.
Comments(4)
Citygirl83
says...
8:22am Tue 10 Jul 12
I await the barrage of abuse I am now likely to get for choosing to have this view.
concerned.erith
says...
11:37am Tue 10 Jul 12
As you rightly say he was not forced to participate.
goldenbroomboy
says...
5:06pm Tue 10 Jul 12
Citygirl83 wrote:If a representative of CRS asked Mr Blair-Ford to throw the boot as described, then CRS are being sued as being vicariously liable.This is literally one for the court, the Judge will decide the respective levels of liability & will assess the damages to be paid accordingly.
Whilst this is a tragic accident and I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy and also have sympathy for Mr Blair-Ford, he made a decision to participate in this event. He was not forced and I can't see how this won't be seen as anything other than a tragic accident. I await the barrage of abuse I am now likely to get for choosing to have this view.
mouthalmighty says...
3:17am Tue 10 Jul 12