A former pupil who suffered lasting brain damage after falling down a 15ft shaft at a Grade II listed building in Tring is now suing the site’s owners.
In June 2019, Thomas Atkins, then aged 18, attended his prom at Pendley Manor Hotel with his fellow classmates. However, what was supposed to be a celebration ended in despair as Thomas fell 15ft into a basement lightwell, suffering a serious head injury and long-lasting brain damage.
Now 23, Thomas is suing the hotel owners £1million and appeared at the High Court last month.
According to reports from several publications, Thomas, who said he has no memory of the accident and denies being drunk at the time, claimed he toppled into the deep lightwell because the wall guarding it was too low.
However, despite admitting the wall was lower than the usual British standards, the hotel owners have denied liability for the fall and suggest Thomas’ drinking was the cause.
His lawyers say the accident resulted in him suffering a brain injury. He then required a craniotomy, a type of operation in which part of the skull is removed to access the brain. He was left with ongoing neurological problems, including mood and memory disturbance, headaches, hearing loss and balance issues.
According to reports, Thomas was asked if someone might have “pushed” him into the lightwell, or if teachers had spoken to him about his level of drinking. He strongly denied both claims.
Since the accident occurred, a metal grille has been installed to protect the drop into the lightwell. Craydawn Pendley Manor Ltd’s barrister Mr Bagot said the drop had been “pretty obvious”. Mr Bagot also claimed that Thomas had been drinking since lunchtime and had prosecco at the prom reception, before enjoying some drinks on his own.
He said: “When he was found in the lightwell in the early hours of the following morning and attended to, they assessed him as being intoxicated, having consumed a large amount of alcohol.”
From the witness box, Thomas denied that he was overly intoxicated.
The trial continues.
Photo credit: Thomas Atkins, Des Blenkinsopp
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