Student paralysed in wall-climb tragedy sues friend who let go of rope for £200k
A MEDICAL student who suffered catastrophic spinal injuries is suing his climbing partner for negligence – for allegedly releasing the rope that could have saved him.
Ross Smith, 24, is now paralysed from the waist down after plunging 30ft from the Sunderland Wall climbing centre’s artificial rock face in 2017.
It is reported his legal claim alleges fellow student Spencer Ollivier broke the “golden rule” by letting go of the safety “belay” rope.
This is designed to be kept taut and stop the climber falling further in case of a slip.
Mr Smith has managed to continue training as a doctor and surgeon but is pursuing a compensation claim reportedly as high as £200,000.
The case was originally at the Royal Courts of Justice in London but has been transferred to Manchester High Court, although not yet heard.
Slipped
It is claimed Mr Ollivier has admitted liability for the accident but Mr Smith is now suing him for negligence.
Both were students at Newcastle University and in the mountaineering club when they became partners for a warm-up climb.
Mr Smith was a first year medical student and novice climber, while Mr Ollivier was studying earth science in his second year.
The legal claim alleges Mr Ollivier, of Guisborough, Cleveland, went first in an uneventful climb with Mr Smith belaying him. But when Mr Smith began to climb to the top of the wall, his fingers slipped and he fell.
Yet instead of this being checked by his belay partner the rope moved freely and he fell to the ground, it is claimed. The writ accuses Mr Ollivier
of negligence for somehow letting go of the rope. It says Mr Ollivier failed to communicate with Mr Smith or arrest his fall. After the accident, Mr Smith was taken to the trauma centre at Royal Victoria Hospital in Newcastle, where doctors found his T12 vertebra had been fractured.
The trainee doctor started physiotherapy and using a wheelchair, transferring to a spinal rehabilitation centre in Middlesbrough.
He went back to his mother’s home in Bolton, in February 2018, and needs help to live independently and will require more care from around the age of 55.
Court papers say his claim includes the cost of aids to help him remain active. He wants to use a hi-tech exoskeleton to help his mobility and to take advantage of developing tech.
Mr Smith returned to medical studies in September 2018 but it is claimed he has lost some 13 years of life expectancy.The Daily Express has been unable to contact either side’s legal representatives.