Latest news with #braininjury
The Sun
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
BBC reality star reveals ‘hardest day of my life' after heartbreaking family death
THE Traitors star Andrew Jenkins has opened up about the 'hardest day of his life' after the heartbreaking death of his mother. Andrew, who made it to the final of The Traitors series two, took to Instagram ahead of mum Patricia's funeral, sharing the order of service. 3 3 He wrote alongside it: 'Today is going to be one of the hardest days of my life. 'My Mum will be missed so much by me, Simon, Kevin, Carl, Dad and the grandchildren. She was the glue and the strength of my family. 'The boys will make you proud today Mam and give you the send off you deserve.' The order of service revealed Patricia passed away last month aged 78. Last year Andrew returned to Scotland's Ardross Castle - where The Traitors is filmed - to embark on a 1,200km charity trek. He walked 750 miles from Scotland to Wales in order to raise money for brain injury charity Headway. It marked a milestone for Andrew who was told after a road accident that he may never walk again. The former insurance broker, then aged 21, was hit by a car in 1991. He was pronounced dead at the scene and spent four weeks in a coma fighting for his life He said: 'To be told I couldn't walk again 25 years ago and then to walk 1,200km is a big challenge. Traitors fans left hot under the collar as Andrew strips off for shower 'I couldn't play rugby any more. It changed my direction in life, I lost my identity massively.' Andrew recently met the surgeon who saved his life after the crash and the pair chatted for hours about his terrifying ordeal. Doctors told Andrew's family that he had a severe brain injury and if he was to wake from his coma then the likelihood would be that he would not recognise anyone or be able to walk. He was forced to quit his beloved rugby, which in turn had a detrimental effect on his mental health.
The Independent
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Independent
Neurosurgeon loses High Court claim against McLaren branch over snowmobile crash
An American neurosurgeon has lost a High Court legal action against a branch of McLaren over a snowmobile crash which he claimed 'put my life in danger'. Andrew Cannestra suffered a brain injury when his snowmobile crashed near Ivalo, northern Finland, on February 2 2020 during a four-night 'Pure McLaren Arctic Experience' arranged by McLaren Automotive Events. Barristers for the 54-year-old Floridian told a trial in London earlier this month that the company was negligent and in breach of contract, including allegations that a safety briefing given by guides for a 'snowmobile safari' was inadequate. They also claimed that a guide sped off, causing Mr Cannestra to lose sight of him and speed up in an attempt to keep up, which led to him losing control of the snowmobile on a turn, veering off the track into deep snow, and hitting a tree. The company defended the legal action, with its lawyers saying there was 'no evidence' the briefing did not meet safety standards and that the 'irreducible risk' of the activity was 'reasonably controlled'. In a ruling on Friday, Mr Justice Ritchie said the safety briefing complied with relevant standards and that the crash was caused by Mr Cannestra's 'accidental throttle use' when entering the turn. He said: 'It was not caused by 'out of sight' guiding. It was not caused by the claimant going too fast because he was trying to keep up with a disappeared guide. 'It was caused by accidental throttle use by the claimant due to failing to follow the instructions which he had been given about safe operation during a left turn, with the guide well in sight before both turns one and two.' Neil Block KC, representing Mr Cannestra, told a seven-day trial in London in written submissions that Mr Cannestra and his former partner, Kaitlin Mealor, spent almost £24,000 before flights on the 'couples package', with activities including driving a McLaren car on ice, and optional events such as snowmobiling. While Mr Cannestra had experience driving supercars, he and Ms Mealor were 'absolute novices' on snowmobiles, Mr Block said. The barrister said the pair were given a safety briefing by two guides, Arto Pitkanen and Jouni Satta, which lasted 'approximately five minutes', but alleged it was not 'proper and adequate' as it did not include information on track layout or the positions of potential hazards. Mr Block said the Lynx Xtrim 900 snowmobiles had three modes – eco, standard and sport – with the tour beginning in eco mode, which had a top speed of 40kph. Shortly after the activity began, Mr Block said the group stopped, and Mr Pitkanen approached Mr Cannestra and changed the mode, which increased its top speed and was 'not appropriate'. Mr Pitkanen was alleged to have then set off at speeds of up to 60kph, causing Mr Cannestra to lose sight of him and speed up as he 'did not want to be on his own'. He suffered a 'very significant' brain injury and 'orthopaedic injuries' as a result of the crash, the court was told. Giving evidence, Mr Cannestra acknowledged he initially told others following the crash that it was his 'error', but said he was 'not thinking clearly' at that time due to his 'traumatic brain injury'. He said: 'The guides simply did not guide me through the turns. 'That put my life in danger, and this never would have happened to me if that had occurred.' Matthew Chapman KC, for the company, said in his written submissions that the turn where Mr Cannestra crashed was 'quite safe if negotiated at an appropriate speed', and that Mr Pitkanen changed the snowmobile's mode as Mr Cannestra was 'eager' for this to happen. He added that Mr Cannestra's speed was 'wholly within his control', and the claim that Mr Pitkanen had driven too far in front 'cannot sensibly succeed'. In his judgment, Mr Justice Ritchie ruled that Mr Pitkanen 'did not ride at excessive speed' and that the change of the snowmobile's mode did not have 'any proven causative effect on the accident', adding that Mr Cannestra was 'a mature, supercar and jet-ski aficionado, who had ridden confidently and wanted more speed'. He continued that Mr Cannestra's evidence was 'illogical and contrived' and that a 'fundamental problem' with it was that it was 'contradictory to what he said after the accident'. He said: 'For a man with substantial experience of driving super cars, with very high intelligence and a clear understanding of the dangers of driving at speed on corners, he based his case on ignoring those dangers and desperately wanting to keep up with a guide.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Neurosurgeon loses High Court claim against McLaren branch over snowmobile crash
An American neurosurgeon has lost a High Court legal action against a branch of McLaren over a snowmobile crash which he claimed 'put my life in danger'. Andrew Cannestra suffered a brain injury when his snowmobile crashed near Ivalo, northern Finland, on February 2 2020 during a four-night 'Pure McLaren Arctic Experience' arranged by McLaren Automotive Events. Barristers for the 54-year-old Floridian told a trial in London earlier this month that the company was negligent and in breach of contract, including allegations that a safety briefing given by guides for a 'snowmobile safari' was inadequate. They also claimed that a guide sped off, causing Mr Cannestra to lose sight of him and speed up in an attempt to keep up, which led to him losing control of the snowmobile on a turn, veering off the track into deep snow, and hitting a tree. The company defended the legal action, with its lawyers saying there was 'no evidence' the briefing did not meet safety standards and that the 'irreducible risk' of the activity was 'reasonably controlled'. In a ruling on Friday, Mr Justice Ritchie said the safety briefing complied with relevant standards and that the crash was caused by Mr Cannestra's 'accidental throttle use' when entering the turn. He said: 'It was not caused by 'out of sight' guiding. It was not caused by the claimant going too fast because he was trying to keep up with a disappeared guide. 'It was caused by accidental throttle use by the claimant due to failing to follow the instructions which he had been given about safe operation during a left turn, with the guide well in sight before both turns one and two.' Neil Block KC, representing Mr Cannestra, told a seven-day trial in London in written submissions that Mr Cannestra and his former partner, Kaitlin Mealor, spent almost £24,000 before flights on the 'couples package', with activities including driving a McLaren car on ice, and optional events such as snowmobiling. While Mr Cannestra had experience driving supercars, he and Ms Mealor were 'absolute novices' on snowmobiles, Mr Block said. The barrister said the pair were given a safety briefing by two guides, Arto Pitkanen and Jouni Satta, which lasted 'approximately five minutes', but alleged it was not 'proper and adequate' as it did not include information on track layout or the positions of potential hazards. Mr Block said the Lynx Xtrim 900 snowmobiles had three modes – eco, standard and sport – with the tour beginning in eco mode, which had a top speed of 40kph. Shortly after the activity began, Mr Block said the group stopped, and Mr Pitkanen approached Mr Cannestra and changed the mode, which increased its top speed and was 'not appropriate'. Mr Pitkanen was alleged to have then set off at speeds of up to 60kph, causing Mr Cannestra to lose sight of him and speed up as he 'did not want to be on his own'. He suffered a 'very significant' brain injury and 'orthopaedic injuries' as a result of the crash, the court was told. Giving evidence, Mr Cannestra acknowledged he initially told others following the crash that it was his 'error', but said he was 'not thinking clearly' at that time due to his 'traumatic brain injury'. He said: 'The guides simply did not guide me through the turns. 'That put my life in danger, and this never would have happened to me if that had occurred.' Matthew Chapman KC, for the company, said in his written submissions that the turn where Mr Cannestra crashed was 'quite safe if negotiated at an appropriate speed', and that Mr Pitkanen changed the snowmobile's mode as Mr Cannestra was 'eager' for this to happen. He added that Mr Cannestra's speed was 'wholly within his control', and the claim that Mr Pitkanen had driven too far in front 'cannot sensibly succeed'. In his judgment, Mr Justice Ritchie ruled that Mr Pitkanen 'did not ride at excessive speed' and that the change of the snowmobile's mode did not have 'any proven causative effect on the accident', adding that Mr Cannestra was 'a mature, supercar and jet-ski aficionado, who had ridden confidently and wanted more speed'. He continued that Mr Cannestra's evidence was 'illogical and contrived' and that a 'fundamental problem' with it was that it was 'contradictory to what he said after the accident'. He said: 'For a man with substantial experience of driving super cars, with very high intelligence and a clear understanding of the dangers of driving at speed on corners, he based his case on ignoring those dangers and desperately wanting to keep up with a guide.'
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Connor Wellsted: Father welcomes police review of investigation
The father of a five-year-old boy who died while in the care of a children's brain injury charity has welcomed a review of the police investigation into his Wellsted, from Sheffield, suffocated when a cot bumper became lodged under his chin during a stay at The Children's Trust's Tadworth unit in Surrey in 2017. An inquest found the cot was overdue a service and used Police, which has admitted shortcomings during the investigation, said it was reviewing the circumstances of the inquiry into Connor's the police review, Chris Wellstead, from Doncaster, said: "I never thought this day would actually come, in all honesty." "I didn't think I would live to see the day where I'd get the phone call."In a statement, The Children's Trust said the force had not been in contact about the review but they would "co-operate fully should they get in touch". Connor had neurological disabilities caused by a brain injury after he suffered a near-miss sudden infant death syndrome when he was five weeks 18 April 2017 he began what should have been a six-week stay at the trust for intensive neuro-rehabilitation, but was found dead in a padded cot on 17 May. An inquest found his cot was nine years old, was used infrequently and had not had an annual service for the previous five years."He meant the whole universe, that boy was my beating heart," said Mr inquest in 2022 concluded Connor had probably stood up and held on to the cot bumper, which was not properly fixed, causing it to dislodge and trap his neck, obstructing his Dr Karen Henderson said police and the coroners' service were not initially "fully informed of the circumstances" and the scene had "not been preserved".Key details were also not shared with the pathologist who performed the autopsy, the inquest heard, preventing a forensic post-mortem examination taking place to establish how or if the cot bumper may have contributed to his death. Surrey Police admitted shortcomings during the initial investigation into Connor's death, including failing to send a detective inspector to the scene in line with a policy on sudden a statement, a spokesperson said: "We fully accept this was a failing on our part."As a result, the force is now reviewing the investigation into the circumstances of Connor's death to ascertain if any further enquiries need to be made."They added: "We have been in contact with Connor's family and will be keeping them updated."Mike Thiedke, chief executive of The Children's Trust, said: "Eight years on from Connor's death, we recognise his loss remains devastating for his family and loved ones. "We will always be sorry that Connor died while in the care of The Children's Trust and that nothing we can say will ever take away the sorrow and pain."He continued: "We understand that Surrey Police are conducting a review of their own investigative processes into Connor's death - we have not been contacted by the police but will of course make ourselves available and co-operate fully should they get in touch."Over the past eight years we have undergone significant transformation and made substantial improvements and we are confident that introduced measures have strengthened safety, communication, and transparency across our services." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Constant Therapy Announces Collaboration with Burke Rehabilitation to Offer NY's First AI-Driven Post-Acute Outpatient Speech Therapy
New 24/7 digital care model gives patients recovering from stroke and brain injury access to personalized speech and cognitive therapy LEXINGTON, Mass., July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Constant Therapy today announced a first-in-state collaboration with New York-based Burke Rehabilitation to launch an AI-powered post-acute speech therapy program for patients with stroke, brain injuries, and other neurological conditions. This innovative care model leverages the Constant Therapy digital platform with advanced AI technologies, granting users 24/7 access to personalized speech, language, and cognitive therapies. Together with Burke's high quality, one-on-one outpatient rehabilitation, this AI-driven care model will support neurological patients' recovery goals and improve their clinical outcomes. "As a proud pioneer of innovation in the physical and medical rehabilitation industry, Burke Rehabilitation is always in pursuit of cutting-edge treatments and technologies that support our patients' recovery goals,' said Burke Rehabilitation Vice President, Outpatient Services, Steven Tisser, PT, MBA. 'We are proud to be the first in the state to bring AI-driven cognitive and speech therapy tools to patients and caregivers. This relationship with Constant Therapy will undoubtedly support our patients' evolving needs on their individualized care journeys.' Burke patients will be prescribed three months of complimentary unlimited access to the Constant Therapy mobile app. This enables patients to maintain engagement with their speech therapy and cognitive therapy programs outside of scheduled clinical visits. Powerful Outcomes This announcement builds on the success of a small-scale pilot within Burke's Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Program (ICAP), where participants used Constant Therapy alongside traditional multidisciplinary rehabilitation. The results were promising. Over half of the participants achieved statistically significant gains—improving by more than 5.03 points on the Western Aphasia Battery-Revised (WAB-R)*, with an average increase of 8.9 points. These participants included individuals recovering from stroke and traumatic brain injury, highlighting the potential of AI-powered tools to enhance recovery in complex neurological cases. *The WAB-R test assesses linguistic skills most frequently affected by aphasia, plus key nonlinguistic skills, and provides differential diagnosis information. Separately, in a focused evaluation involving 37 participants from Burke Rehabilitation using Constant Therapy at home during post-acute care, results further underscored the effectiveness of digital tools in facilitating speech and cognitive recovery. 226,921 additional therapeutic exercises completed independently by patients at home over one year. 17% average increase in task accuracy**, showing meaningful gains in performance. 64% average improvement in task processing speed (latency percentile)**, reflecting faster cognitive response times. **Participants included individuals recovering from stroke or traumatic brain injury, all engaged in intensive speech therapy. Patient outcomes were measured by comparing their latest scores to baseline scores across 91 different Constant Therapy to Susan Wortman-Jutt, MS, CCC-SLP, Advanced Senior Speech-Language Pathologist at Burke Rehabilitation, 'We are thrilled to launch this initiative with Constant Therapy. AI has the potential to empower patients and caregivers with 24/7 access to innovative language and speech therapy tools. This integration motivates and enables participants to engage in additional practice at home between clinical visits.' "We at Constant Therapy are excited to join forces with Burke Rehabilitation, a nationally acclaimed leader in patient care," said Veera Anantha, Co-founder and CEO of Constant Therapy. "By integrating our AI technology, Burke is setting a new standard in speech therapy and cognitive rehabilitation unmatched in New York.' Constant Therapy Health is a next-generation digital health company whose technology is clinically proven to improve the efficacy of speech-language therapy and cognitive therapy, as well as increase access to and reduce the cost of therapy. Constant Therapy, an award-winning mobile program, uses patented AI technology to deliver personalized exercises that rebuild cognitive and speech function for individuals recovering from stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI) or living with aphasia, dementia, and other neurological conditions. Built by a team of top neuroscientists at Boston University, Constant Therapy is used by tens of thousands of patients as prescribed by their clinicians, helping to create the world's largest brain rehabilitation database, and providing insights that can improve the effectiveness and efficiency of brain rehabilitation. For more information, please visit About Burke Rehabilitation:Burke Rehabilitation® is a nationally recognized and accredited not-for-profit healthcare organization that provides rehabilitation treatment, research, and graduate medical education. Burke offers a full spectrum of inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services to improve the quality of life for people following an injury or surgery and those managing symptoms from chronic conditions. Ranked as a top rehabilitation hospital by U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek, Burke Rehabilitation has the highest readmission prevention rate among the nation's top-ranked rehabilitation hospitals and is the largest provider of stroke rehabilitation in New York. In addition to its hospital in White Plains, NY, Burke has 15 outpatient locations throughout the Bronx, Westchester County, and the Hudson Valley with more sites planned. Burke is a proud member of the Montefiore Health System and has been named one of Westchester County's Best Places to Work by 914INC. For more information, please visit Contact Kelly FavilleFourSeventeen CommunicationsOn behalf of Constant Therapy HealthM A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
