RAF man's "It's a Knockout"compensation bid (From Bucks Free Press)

RAF man's "It's a Knockout"compensation bid

12:28pm Tuesday 24th November 2009 in

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A FORMER RAF man left paralysed after breaking his neck in an 'It's a Knockout' style event at RAF High Wycombe has launched a £6million compensation bid.

Robert Uren fractured his spine in three places and damaged his spinal cord trying to avoid another contestant during the Health and Fun Day in July 2005.

Mr Uren, of Camborne, Cornwall, was participating in a relay race in which services personnel had to run 45 feet before retrieving plastic fruit toys from the bottom of an inflatable pool, London's High Court heard yesterday.

While trying to avoid another participant Mr Uren, who was 21 at the time, slipped and took an “uncontrolled dive” and hit his head on the bottom of the shallow pool.

He is now suing the Ministry of Defence and event organisers Corporate Leisure (UK) Ltd after becoming wheelchair bound and only able to move his arms.

His QC, Sir Geoffrey Nice, claimed Mr Uren and his fellow participants were "encouraged" to dive into the shallow pool by Corporate Leisure (UK) Ltd.

Both Corporate Leisure (UK) Ltd, based in Calfridus Way, Bracknell, and the MoD deny negligence and liability for Mr Uren's injuries and are fighting the case.

Mr Uren – who was medically discharged from the RAF following the incident – is due to give evidence today. The High Court hearing is expected to last for several days.