Champion 'Flow Rider' Sues Over Zipwire Tragedy

A former adventure sports instructor and champion 'flow rider', who was confined to a wheelchair after a horrifying zipwire accident which also necessitated a live kidney transplant, has launched a High Court claim for very substantial damages.

Before disaster struck at a venue aimed at giving the public an adrenalin rush, the man was one of Europe's most successful flow riders – a sport involving simulated surfing. However, he suffered devastating spinal injuries when he crashed into the end of a 208-metre zipwire – known as 'The Swoop' – at high speed.

A High Court writ – issued against the man's employers at the time and the venue's owners – states that it was the man's task to instruct members of the public on how to use the ride, which had a braking mechanism that had to be reset after each descent. He was the last one down of his group and the 'catcher' at the end of the wire is alleged to have signalled that it was safe to go.

The writ alleges that the brake had not been reset and that he plunged down the wire, crashing into cables at the end of the ride at high velocity. He suffered a spinal injury which left him paraplegic. His right kidney was also badly damaged and, after prolonged dialysis, he had to undergo a transplant.

The writ states that, since the accident, the man has tried to learn web design skills and has worked on ideas to make flow riding machines accessible by disabled people. In blaming the two defendants for the tragedy, his lawyers say that the facts and circumstances of the accident 'speak for themselves'; however, the contents of the writ have yet to be tested in evidence before a judge.

The contents of this article are intended for general information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute legal advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article.