Glencoe lift operator wins damages after legs are crushed in t-bar machinery

A snowHead

A lift operator whose legs were crushed on a t-bar at Glencoe, Scotland, in January 2000 took his former employers to court last week. His injuries include an amputated right leg, damage to his other leg and an arm.

Steven Campbell had sued Glenshee Chairlift Company (which formery operated Glenshee and Glencoe ski areas) for £2 million in damages, though his actual settlement is undisclosed. After four days trial, the defendants increased a previous offer, and this was accepted.

The accident occurred when Campbell was trying to free the jammed working gear at the top of the lift. Someone else started it up and he was pulled into the machinery. His legs were crushed up to the knee before he was dragged in further.

He said: "It carried on pulling me in, up to an inch away from the pelvic bone."
Campbell was trapped for four or five hours, and nearly died of hypothermia before the emergency services were able to free him. Surgeons had to be flown to the scene, and he remained conscious throughout.

Initial news report: The Scotsman
Report of settlement: BBC Online
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The above tragedy must be one of the worst that could happen in the cause of keeping our sport running. Steven Campbell was himself a former snowboarder and cyclist.
Any comments? Anyone know which lift at Glencoe was involved?

Help!!

Glencoe lift operator wins damages after legs are crushed in t-bar machinery

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