Soldier’s six-figure compo for jet scare
‘Terrifying’ dive gave veteran PTSD
A MILITARY veteran who feared he would die in an out-of-control RAF jet has won hundreds of thousands of pounds in compensation.
Soldier B was one of 187 passengers on an RAF Voyager which went into a “terrifying” nose-dive on its way to Afghanistan in 2014.
It plummeted while at 33,000ft after the pilot’s personal camera got jammed inside flight deck equipment, but was eventually brought back under control.
The 38-year-old soldier suffered soft tissue injuries, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression and anxiety and was discharged from the Army last year.
He is not the first of its passengers to sue the MoD. Simon Quinn, of Hilary Meredith solicitors, said: “This terrifying ordeal was entirely avoidable.
Our client was convinced he was going to die, as were those around him. Despite prolonged treatment, he continues to suffer ongoing anxiety.”
The Voyager was heading to Camp Bastion in Helmand Province from RAF Brize Norton, Oxon, in February 2014. RAF pilot Flt Lt Andrew Townshend was dismissed after pleading guilty to negligence and was given a four-month suspended sentence. It is not known how many of the passengers, who are all entitled to
These were troops heading into a war-zone... I would expect them to be more robust COL RICHARD KEMP EX-COMMANDER, BRIT FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN
launch legal action, are still serving in the military.
But a source said: “So far the MoD has paid more than a million pounds in compensation for this incident alone, so this could become very costly.”
Col Richard Kemp, the former Commander of British Forces in Afghanistan, said: “I would not compare this with an injury sustained in battle. These were troops heading into a war-zone, I would expect them to be more robust. This payout seems extremely high.”
An MOD spokesperson said: “We carefully consider all claims and pay compensation where we have a legal obligation to do so. As litigation is currently ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”