Ibiza club run by Lineker’s brother sued for £8.5m
♦A former Premier League footballer is suing Gary Lineker’s family’s Ibiza beach club for £8.5million after he was left paralysed when he dived into its pool.
Jonathan Hutchinson, a former Birmingham City defender, broke his neck while partying with his friend in the “day club” section of the Ocean Beach Club in June 2016.
The friends had been drinking and “milling around” the bar area when they arrived at the resort – set up by Gary Lineker’s brother Wayne – in the early evening, his lawyers said. But only hours later, emergency services were called to haul Mr Hutchinson, 37, out of the pool after guests found him “floating” in the water.
Mr Hutchinson, who works as a welding inspector, now has to use a wheelchair, as his motor functions were significantly impaired by the accident.
The father-of-two is suing the company which owns the club, Ice Mountain Ibiza SL, and its Spanish insurers, for £8.5million of damages. Both companies deny liability.
Sarah Crowther QC, representing Mr Hutchinson, argued that the pool, which was of “irregular size”, lacked sufficient warning signs restricting diving and was inadequately supervised. She claimed that her client could not remember the specifics of the incident due to his injuries.
Mr Hutchinson, originally from Middlesbrough, was forced to retire from football in 2008 due to a series of injuries. He played as a centre-back for Birmingham City in the Premier League in 2002, before moving to Darlington three years later.
His case reached the High Court this week, as lawyers contested whether it should be heard in England or Spain. The judge reserved her decision.