WEDDING BLIGHT
Couple sue over after bride falls down stately home steps on their big day
A BRIDE who suffered a serious leg injury when she fell down a flight of stairs on her wedding night is suing a stately home for £100,000.
Hellen Hetherington was walking down a stone stairway hand-in-hand with new hubby Bruce Knowles when he lost his footing, then she fell too and ended up at the bottom of the steps.
Hellen was rushed to hospital and missed her wedding night and her lawyers claim her injury was down to the exterior stairs not being lit.
However, the owner of 114-year-old Sennowe Park, Norfolk, denies liability and the events company involved says the fall was a “pure accident”.
Details of the case emerged after papers were filed at the High Court.
Ms Hetherington’s lawyer Wanda Szczygiel wrote: “The steps were inadequately lit and could not be seen, causing the claimant to fall as she could not make out the beginning of the stairs.”
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The couple had been walking from their bridal suite back to a marquee before midnight in June 2017.
Ms Hetherington, head of procurement for a farmers’ buying group, initially needed round-the-clock care and claims her ability to drive is still affected.
Estate owner Charles Temple-Richards and booking agents Softley Events deny being at fault. The latter’s barrister Jamie Clarke argued: “The claimant’s husband’s account at the time describes a pure accident not attributable to any external factor.”
Barrister Thomas Banks, for Mr Temple-Richards, said the steps were over 100 years old and a “period feature”.
He said: “The claimant was aware of the steps, having been up and down them several times. Suitable lighting was in place.”
The case reached court this month ahead of a full trial of the claim at a later date.
The claimant was aware of the steps and had been up and down them already
JAMIE CLARKE BARRISTER FOR EVENTS COMPANY