Egyptian bus crash surviver claims compensation
A young man who was seriously injured in a horrific coach crash, while on holiday in Egypt, has still not been able to return to work, nine months after the accident.
The man who at the time had travelled with his former girlfriend, were on a trip from the beach resort of Sharm El-Sheikh to the Pyramids when the bus they were travelling in hit a truck, last September. The man aged 26-years-old, suffered a shattered shin bone, fractured ankle, fractured knee and a head injury in the collision, which led to 12 fatalities and left 33 people injured.
The injured man was previously employed as a delivery assistant for a home delivery firm but has not been able to work because of his injuries. Now he is hoping to win his legal battle to gain a compensation claim from the company, which organised the fatal coach trip.
Driver didn't take break
He is taking legal action against the Egyptian tour operator Orbit Travel, as he believes the driver, who was killed in the accident, did not take a break in the six-hour journey.
Speaking about the incident the British man from Bolton, had said: "We were sitting right in the middle of the coach. I'd wanted to sit at the front because I get a bit travel sick but thankfully Katie persuaded me to sit in the middle. That decision saved my life because the front took the brunt of the crash."
He spent a week in hospital in Cairo, before being flown home. When he arrived back in the UK, he was treated at the Royal Bolton Hospital for two and a half weeks.
He added: "I am still slowly trying to recover from my injuries. I still have a pin in my leg to support my shin. I am mobile but I have to watch how long I am on my feet for. I can't move suddenly or manage steep slopes.
"I've not been able to return to my job as a delivery assistant. It's really affected me because I'm normally such an active person."
The couple, whose relationship broke down after the crash, had been saving up for six months for their dream holiday.
Matt Tomlinson, from solicitors, Russell Jones and Walker, said: "Sadly many British holidaymakers are injured each year in road accidents. My advice for anyone booking day trips while on holiday is to proceed with caution, and to ensure that the local agents they use are reputable and recommended by the hotel or the tour operator.
"I would also advise that payment is made by credit card for insurance protection purposes. We will continue with the man's fight for compensation against the local agents despite the logistical difficulties faced."
Woman injured in bus crash
In addition a woman who was injured in another bus crash that happened in the same Egyptian area spoke about the situation that she faced.
She said: "I was myself involved in a bus crash on a night in April 2008. We were going from Sharm El Sheik to the Sinai mountains for a nice walk. We travelled by night and never reached our destination because our bus overturned somewhere in the mountains 20 minutes after passing the village of Dahab. The main reason we crashed I think was due to an excessively fast and incautious driving.
"We, as tourists, should be informed, these accidents should be reported in the tourist brochures so tourists are given the choice to take the risks to go by bus or coach or not take the risks.
"If we are not informed, we do take the risks without even being aware of it.
"I was nearly paralysed and find it a big shame the media around the world don't really speak about these accidents. This accident happened on the first day - night actually - of my holiday and I, as a result, didn't get to see any of the beautiful Egypt at all."
Updated on 06/06/2009