22/01/2010 - Judge rejects fun day injury claim
An RAF man who broke his neck at a "health and fun day" has lost his High Court damages claim.
Robert Uren, of Pencoys, South Tehidy, Camborne, Cornwall, was 21 when he was injured during the It's a Knockout-style games at RAF High Wycombe in July 2005.
The senior aircraftman was taking part in a relay race when he "launched himself" into a shallow pool to retrieve plastic fruit and hit his head on the bottom.
Mr Justice Field, in London, dismissed his action against equipment provider Corporate Leisure (UK) Ltd and the Ministry of Defence, who both denied liability.
The judge said he had the greatest sympathy for Mr Uren, who is now tetraplegic and whose life has been "devastated".
"He is a thoroughly decent young man who had a promising career ahead of him in the RAF."
But his claim had to fail because the defendants took reasonable measures to ensure that the game was safe, the judge said.
The risk of serious injury posed by the pool game was very small and contestants were told to take care.
"It was obvious that they should not attempt to dive in without sliding over the side. In sliding over the side they would be moving essentially horizontally and the friction would slow the pace of entry."
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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