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Rebecca Coles awarded £1.37m for inflatable ring crash | Rebecca Coles awarded £1.37m for inflatable ring crash |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A teenager who received serious injuries in an inflatable ring accident has been awarded £1.37m compensation. | A teenager who received serious injuries in an inflatable ring accident has been awarded £1.37m compensation. |
Rebecca Coles was told she might never walk again after the inflatable she was riding on the River Orwell, in Suffolk, crashed in to another boat in May 2008. | Rebecca Coles was told she might never walk again after the inflatable she was riding on the River Orwell, in Suffolk, crashed in to another boat in May 2008. |
The insurance company of the driver of the speedboat, which was pulling Ms Coles, has been ordered to pay the money by the Admiralty Court in London. | The insurance company of the driver of the speedboat, which was pulling Ms Coles, has been ordered to pay the money by the Admiralty Court in London. |
Ms Coles, 19, of Basildon in Essex, had to have part of her skull removed. | Ms Coles, 19, of Basildon in Essex, had to have part of her skull removed. |
'Brought closure' | 'Brought closure' |
Her father, Steven Coles, said she received brain injuries and was also left with impaired vision and hearing, partial loss of use in her left arm and reduced mobility. | Her father, Steven Coles, said she received brain injuries and was also left with impaired vision and hearing, partial loss of use in her left arm and reduced mobility. |
"It's been a very difficult five years and we are relieved that it's finally come to an end and brought closure for Rebecca," Mr Coles said. | "It's been a very difficult five years and we are relieved that it's finally come to an end and brought closure for Rebecca," Mr Coles said. |
"We are immensely proud of her achievements so far and we are optimistic she can move forward." | "We are immensely proud of her achievements so far and we are optimistic she can move forward." |
He also called on the government to introduce a driving test for anyone wishing to operate a speedboat. | |
According to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, there is currently no "obligatory or legal requirement within the leisure boating world" to have any training before operating a speedboat. | |
Lesley Batrick, who represented Ms Coles, said the compensation was a "great result for a really likeable young client". | Lesley Batrick, who represented Ms Coles, said the compensation was a "great result for a really likeable young client". |
"This isn't a lottery win because the money will be needed to meet Rebecca's needs for the rest of her life," she added. | "This isn't a lottery win because the money will be needed to meet Rebecca's needs for the rest of her life," she added. |
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