Latest news with #amputation
Telegraph
a day ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Diver who lost leg to underwater machinery awarded more than £750,000
A deep sea diver has been awarded more than £750,000 in compensation after losing a leg when he was crushed by a giant underwater hammer. Allan Peacock, 55, was injured while working underwater off the coast of India in 2011. A heavy pile, which acts like a hammer to nail another into the seabed, unexpectedly moved, sucking him between the two pieces of equipment and crushing his foot. Mr Peacock was able to drag himself away before receiving treatment in India and in Newcastle after flying home, but ended up having to have a below-knee amputation. With efforts described as 'quite exceptional' by a surgeon, Mr Peacock was back working underwater within 18 months, with the help of a special prosthetic leg. Now, after suing at the High Court, he has been awarded £765,866 in compensation from his former employer, the Indian company Del Seatek India Private Limited. He had already received around £169,000 from the operator of the barge on which he was working. The court heard Mr Peacock qualified in 1998 and was working as a saturation diver for Del Seatek when he was injured while working from a cargo barge in pipe laying operations in Paradip, Odisha, in November 2011. His barrister, Mark Chapman KC, said conditions were difficult, with poor visibility of only about a metre and a strong tide when he descended underwater in a dive basket to work at a depth of up to 30 metres. His task was to disconnect two chains holding vertical piles together, one on top of the other, with the top driving the other into the seabed and 'acting like a hammer on a nail'. As he began to work, the top pile parted from the other and the barge began to roll because of the tide, also causing the piles to move, the barrister continued. 'They parted because they were insecurely attached,' he said. 'There was too much slack in the chains holding them together. 'The claimant's right foot was sucked in between the parted piles before the top pile fell back on top of the bottom pile and, in doing so, crushed the foot.' Mr Peacock was initially treated in India before being moved to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, where he had to have his below-knee amputation because of the lack of blood flow to his foot. His barrister said the extent of his injury had been 'graphically revealed' to him and he was told without warning that amputation was required, which left him 'extremely shocked and quite emotional'. 'Following the accident, the claimant was absent from all/any work for a period of around 18 months,' he continued. 'However, he is a stoical, resourceful and determined individual. He was resolute in his ambition to return to his pre-accident work, having independently researched the regulatory position applicable to amputees and commercial diving operations. 'The claimant has managed to return to work in a field which is very demanding with the use of prostheses provided by the NHS.'
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Deep sea diver crushed by giant underwater hammer wins huge payout
A deep sea diver who miraculously returned to work on the seabed 18 months after losing a leg when he was crushed by a giant underwater hammer has won a £915,000 compensation payout. Veteran diver Allan Peacock, 55, suffered devastating injuries when he was crushed by heavy equipment while working underwater off the coast of India in 2011. A heavy pile - acting like a "hammer" to nail another into the seabed - unexpectedly moved, sucking him between the two pieces of equipment and crushing his foot. Mr Peacock was able to hop and drag himself away and was treated in India and in Newcastle after flying home, but ended up having to have a below-knee amputation. But despite that, with efforts described as "quite exceptional" by a surgeon, he was back working underwater within 18 months with the help of a special prosthetic leg. And now, after suing at the High Court, Mr Peacock has been awarded £765,866 in compensation from his former employer, Indian company Del Seatek India Private Limited, having already received about £169,000 from the operator of the barge he was working on. The court heard Mr Peacock qualified in 1998 and was working as a saturation diver for Del Seatek when he was injured while working from a cargo barge in pipe laying operations in the Paradip area of India in November 2011. His barrister, Mark Chapman KC, said conditions were difficult, with poor visibility of only about a metre and a strong tide when he descended underwater in a dive basket to work at a depth of up to 30 metres. His task was to disconnect two chains which were holding vertical piles together, one on top of the other, with the top driving the other into the seabed and "acting like a hammer on a nail." As he began to work, the top pile parted from the other and the barge began to roll due to the tide, also causing the piles to move, the barrister continued. "They parted because they were insecurely attached," he said. "There was too much slack in the chains holding them together. "The claimant's right foot was sucked in between the parted piles before the top pile fell back on top of the bottom pile and, in doing so, crushed the claimant's foot. "The claimant's foot was stuck for a few seconds before the piles moved again and the claimant was able to remove the foot. "The claimant detached his umbilical and hopped and dragged himself back to the dive basket after informing the dive supervisor of the accident. "The basket had been removed to the surface and so the claimant had to await its return." He was initially treated in India, before being moved to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle, where he had to have his below-knee amputation due to the lack of blood flow to the foot. Mr Chapman said the extent of his injury had been "graphically revealed" to him and he was told without warning that amputation was required, which left him 'extremely shocked and quite emotional.' "Following the accident, the claimant was absent from all/any work for a period of around 18 months," he continued. "However, he is a stoical, resourceful and determined individual. He was resolute in his ambition to return to his pre-accident work, having independently researched the regulatory position applicable to amputees and commercial diving operations. "The claimant has managed to return to work in a field which is very demanding with the use of prostheses provided by the NHS." In his written evidence put before the court, Mr Peacock himself described the problems he faced in getting back to work after the accident. 'One of the things raised was what would happen if my prosthetic leg came off in the water," he said. "In order to deal with this issue I came up with the idea of having climbing harnesses attached to my prosthetic leg. "This was approved by health and safety and now it is something that I use all of the time when at work.' Although he is now slower in the water, he continues working as a diver, but fears becoming more disabled in later life, the court heard. "I am fully aware that it is likely that I will be wheelchair-bound at some later stage in my life and to be honest this scares me," he said. "I try not to think about it too much and concentrate on keeping myself fit and healthy. I watch what I eat, I exercise and I try to keep myself in the best possible shape.' Addressing the judge, Mr Chapman described Mr Peacock as an "impressive" man, who, because he can no longer run, has taken up kayaking and is still a keen mountain biker. Mr Peacock initially sued his former employer Del Seatek and also the barge's operator, South Korean company Hyundai heavy Industries Company Ltd. His lawyers claimed that the work had been done in "hazardously strong tides and with poor visibility" and that the piles were "not sufficiently secured together." Hyundai settled his claim with a payment of £169,000, but Mr Chapman said Del Seatek had since 2016 "taken zero interest in this matter and had no involvement since 2016," leaving the judge to simply decide the amount in damages he is due from them. Ruling on the case after a half-day trial at the High Court, Deputy Admiralty Registrar Simon Brown awarded Mr Peacock £915,871 damages, to be reduced by the amount already received from Hyundai. The sum includes awards of £150,000 for lost earnings and £681,000 to pay for prostheses and equipment, as well as smaller sums to cover the extra cost of first class seats while flying back and forth to work and to mark the care he received from his wife, Samantha Vincent. Speaking afterwards, Mr Peacock's solicitor Simon O'Loughlin, of Irwin Mitchell, said: 'What Allan went through was very traumatic, but he's shown such bravery and resilience to get to where he is today. To see him get back out working as a professional diver after such a serious injury is nothing short of incredible. He's truly an inspiration. 'It's been a privilege to get to know him and I hope that the settlement will be able to provide him with some closure as well as help fund any future treatment and support he requires and deserves.' Mr Peacock added: 'Not for one minute did I ever expect to be back doing what I love after what happened to me. However I knew that my only options were to sit back and let my injury define me or take back my life – I chose the latter and I'm so glad I did. 'It took me a while to regain my confidence in the water, but I'm so proud of how far I've come. I've also had amazing support which I'm very grateful for. 'I wouldn't wish what I've been through on anyone, but I hope that I can show that there is life after such serious injury.'
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Deep sea diver wins nearly £1million compensation after losing his leg to a giant underwater hammer
A deep sea diver who lost his leg after he was crushed by a giant underwater hammer has won a £915,000 compensation payout. Veteran diver Allan Peacock, 55, suffered devastating injuries when he was crushed by heavy equipment while working from a cargo barge in pipe laying operations off the coast of India in 2011. A heavy pile - acting like a 'hammer' to nail another pile into the seabed - unexpectedly moved, sucking him between the two pieces of equipment and crushing his foot. Mr Peacock was able to hop and drag himself away and was treated in India before flying home to be treated in Newcastle. Despite the surgeon's 'exceptional' efforts, he ended up having to have a below-knee amputation. He miraculously returned to work on the seabed just 18 months later with the help of a special prosthetic leg, however, the mountain biking enthusiast fears becoming more disabled in later life and believes it is 'likely' he will be wheelchair-bound. Following the incident, Mr Peacock sued his former employer, Indian company Del Seatek India Private Limited, as well as the barge's operator, South Korean company Hyundai heavy Industries Company Ltd. His lawyers claimed that the work had been done in 'hazardously strong tides and with poor visibility' and that the piles were 'not sufficiently secured together.' After winning his case at the High Court, Mr Peacock has been awarded £765,866 in compensation from Del Seatek India Private Limited, having already received about £169,000 from Hyundai. The court heard Mr Peacock qualified in 1998 and was working as a saturation diver for Del Seatek when he was injured while working from a cargo barge in pipe laying operations in the Paradip area of India in November 2011. His barrister, Mark Chapman KC, said conditions were difficult, with poor visibility of only about a metre and a strong tide when he descended underwater in a dive basket to work at a depth of up to 30 metres. His task was to disconnect two chains which were holding vertical piles together, one on top of the other, with the top driving the other into the seabed and 'acting like a hammer on a nail.' As he began to work, the top pile parted from the other and the barge began to roll due to the tide, also causing the piles to move, the barrister continued. 'They parted because they were insecurely attached,' he said. 'There was too much slack in the chains holding them together. 'The claimant's right foot was sucked in between the parted piles before the top pile fell back on top of the bottom pile and, in doing so, crushed the claimant's foot. 'The claimant's foot was stuck for a few seconds before the piles moved again and the claimant was able to remove the foot. 'The claimant detached his umbilical and hopped and dragged himself back to the dive basket after informing the dive supervisor of the accident. The basket had been removed to the surface and so the claimant had to await its return.' He was initially treated in India, before being moved to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle, where he had to have his below-knee amputation due to the lack of blood flow to the foot. Mr Chapman said the extent of his injury had been 'graphically revealed' to him and he was told without warning that amputation was required, which left him 'extremely shocked and quite emotional.' 'Following the accident, the claimant was absent from all/any work for a period of around 18 months,' he continued. 'However, he is a stoical, resourceful and determined individual. He was resolute in his ambition to return to his pre-accident work, having independently researched the regulatory position applicable to amputees and commercial diving operations. 'The claimant has managed to return to work in a field which is very demanding with the use of prostheses provided by the NHS.' In his written evidence put before the court, Mr Peacock himself described the problems he faced in getting back to work after the accident. 'One of the things raised was what would happen if my prosthetic leg came off in the water,' he said. 'In order to deal with this issue I came up with the idea of having climbing harnesses attached to my prosthetic leg. 'This was approved by health and safety and now it is something that I use all of the time when at work.' Although he is now slower in the water, he continues working as a diver, but fears becoming more disabled in later life, the court heard. 'I am fully aware that it is likely that I will be wheelchair-bound at some later stage in my life and to be honest this scares me,' he said. 'I try not to think about it too much and concentrate on keeping myself fit and healthy. I watch what I eat, I exercise and I try to keep myself in the best possible shape.' Addressing the judge, Mr Chapman described Mr Peacock as an 'impressive' man, who, because he can no longer run, has taken up kayaking and is still a keen mountain biker. Mr Peacock initially sued his former employer Del Seatek and also the barge's operator, South Korean company Hyundai heavy Industries Company Ltd. His lawyers claimed that the work had been done in 'hazardously strong tides and with poor visibility' and that the piles were 'not sufficiently secured together.' Hyundai settled his claim with a payment of £169,000, but Mr Chapman said Del Seatek had since 2016 'taken zero interest in this matter and had no involvement since 2016,' leaving the judge to simply decide the amount in damages he is due from them. Ruling on the case after a half-day trial at the High Court, Deputy Admiralty Registrar Simon Brown awarded Mr Peacock £915,871 damages, to be reduced by the amount already received from Hyundai. The sum includes awards of £150,000 for lost earnings and £681,000 to pay for prostheses and equipment, as well as smaller sums to cover the extra cost of first class seats while flying back and forth to work and to mark the care he received from his wife, Samantha Vincent. Speaking afterwards, Mr Peacock's solicitor Simon O'Loughlin, of Irwin Mitchell, said: 'What Allan went through was very traumatic, but he's shown such bravery and resilience to get to where he is today. To see him get back out working as a professional diver after such a serious injury is nothing short of incredible. He's truly an inspiration. 'It's been a privilege to get to know him and I hope that the settlement will be able to provide him with some closure as well as help fund any future treatment and support he requires and deserves.' Mr Peacock added: 'Not for one minute did I ever expect to be back doing what I love after what happened to me. However I knew that my only options were to sit back and let my injury define me or take back my life – I chose the latter and I'm so glad I did. 'It took me a while to regain my confidence in the water, but I'm so proud of how far I've come. I've also had amazing support which I'm very grateful for. 'I wouldn't wish what I've been through on anyone, but I hope that I can show that there is life after such serious injury.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Darts legend, 79, reveals he keeps an amputated body part in a bottle of VODKA behind the bar of his 18-bedroom Essex mansion
Darts legend Bobby George has revealed that he keeps a bizarre conversation piece in the bar of his lavish Essex mansion. The 79-year-old was one of the stars of the sport's first golden age in the 1980s, known for his extravagant style, flamboyant entrances and love of gold jewellery. While fans flocked due to his unique character, George was also certainly no slouch at the oche and won several major competitions, including the News of the World championship on two occasions. In his new book — Still Here! The King of Bling — George made a shocking admission that proved his eccentric habits haven't abandoned him since retiring from sport. The TV pundit revealed that he keeps an amputated toe in a bottle of vodka that has pride of place in the bar situated in the 18-bedroom 'George Hall' residence self-built on land he purchased in 1994. George has been forced to have four toes amputated since 1999 due to a genetic condition and while three were medically discarded, he was permitted to keep the first. 'Nobody believes me, or at least they don't, until they see me without my socks on,' George wrote in his new autobiography. 'Or if they come to my bar in George Hall and see the evidence for themselves. There's some sort of gene in my body that has caused the toes to pop out of their socket and cross over. 'It got so bad that I couldn't get my shoes on. I couldn't walk without checking my balance each step. It was so painful on some days that if I'd had a sharp enough knife I would have chopped them off myself. 'There was nothing that the medical profession could do, so it became "Operation Toot-Toot-Tootsie Bye-Bye". George added that he quickly recognised an unconventional potential for the newly-removed digit. He added: 'It didn't hurt and once the deed was done, Phil showed it to me and I asked him if I could keep it. 'Phil presented it to me in a little jar but said that he couldn't give me the proper stuff — formaldehyde, maybe? — as it was poisonous. 'But if I used vodka instead, that would preserve it beautifully. So I took it home and popped it in some vodka and now it has a permanent home behind the bar in George Hall. 'Whenever anyone comes to the house for a drink, I whip it out and ask them if they want a cocktail or a cocktoe? 'It's also meant that, over the years, if I've been away from home for any length of time and my wife, Marie, is missing me, she can always suck my toe!'
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Alton Towers 2015 Smiler crash 'like driving into a car at 90mph'
A couple who were seriously injured in the Smiler rollercoaster crash at Alton Towers say they can "never move on" from it, but still "couldn't be happier".Now married, Leah Washington-Pugh, then 17 and 18-year-old Joe Pugh, from South Yorkshire, were on a date when their Smiler carriage rammed into another at the Staffordshire theme park, 10 years legs were crushed, forcing the amputation of her left leg above the knee whilst both of Joe's kneecaps were shattered and some of his fingers severed in the crash, they said was "equivalent to driving into a car at 90mph". The crash, on 2 June 2015, led to operator Merlin being fined £5m, with compensation paid to the 16 victims. Speaking through their legal representatives, the pair said despite going through some dark times they had "definitely come a long way" since the the day, the couple said they had made a beeline for the ride as soon as they had entered the park. Technical difficulties had delayed them getting on, but "I never thought anything of it," said Leah. After eventually setting off, their carriage had "gone around a corner and crashed straight into the empty cart," she explained. "I think if I remember rightly if you compare it to a car accident it was the equivalent of driving into a car at 90 miles and hour, it was pretty severe," added Joe. "And then I looked down at my legs and realised that something wasn't right," said Leah. "I looked at Joe and Joe's little finger was hanging off." Stranded on the ride for about four hours, she credits emergency workers for saving her life. "The air ambulance was flying in blood for me because I was just losing that much," she said. "If it wasn't for the air ambulance and other services on the day I know I wouldn't be here today." 'Learn to live again' Following her rescue, Leah spent five days in intensive care and was in hospital for eight weeks. After being discharged "navigating life in normal surroundings was quite difficult at the start," she said. "We had to learn not only how to walk again and live again, but how to build a relationship again with each other," added Joe. The couple said supporting each other through their recovery had been "really important"."Yes, our injuries were there and everything else around us was going off, but we still had that relationship and friendship and that got us through everything." "Fast forward ten years we're both really happy," continued Joe. "We're now married, we're almost a year into us marriage, we've got a beautiful home together we couldn't be happier." The crash was "utterly shocking" and "unlike anything that had ever happened the world over," according to one industry expert. Vicky Balch, of Leyland, Lancashire, also needed a partial leg amputation after the crash. "Knowing quite a bit about the theme park industry, it was a shock as to how it could have happened and what would have been the cause," said European Coaster Club journalist Marcus Gaines."The incident attracted worldwide attention which shows how rare and unusual it was and what a major incident it was," he added. Merlin Attractions Operations Ltd admitted breaches of the Health and Safety Act in what bosses called "the most serious incident" in Alton Towers' the fine on Merlin, Judge Michael Chambers QC said the crash had been foreseeable, but accepted the company which owns Alton Towers had subsequently taken full and extensive steps to remedy the problems that led to it happening. 'Unprecedented accident' Mr Gaines added that at the time the UK was recognised as one of the leading experts in amusement park safety. "Lots of other countries don't have any real regulation about ride safety," he said. He said safety measures put in place since the crash included visual checks where staff physically inspect the entire length of the track to ensure it is clear."We've had this horrific accident, but it is unprecedented that that accident happened," Mr Gaines continued."I think the fact that we haven't seen anything like that before, and we've not seen anything like it in the 10 years since, shows what high standards we do have in the UK." Reflecting on a decade since the accident Leah said: "You've always got to find the positive in the negative and just got to grab life, because it's so precious, and make the most of it".The couple are using the anniversary to host a ball to support the Staffordshire Air Ambulance, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the LimbBo Foundation, a charity which supports limb-different accident was "tragic," Leigh added, but it has also "fetched a lot of happiness and experiences that we would never have had." Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
