Teen to sue ambulance driver after horror crash

2:10pm Wednesday 16th April 2008

A TEENAGER left with life-changing injuries after a horror smash with a Hampshire ambulance is suing the paramedic driver for damages.

Jessica Barnett, who suffered serious head injuries in the crash, is taking Andrew Collis and the South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust to the High Court for more than £300,000 compensation.

In February this year, Mr Collis, 43, had his conviction and sentence for dangerous driving quashed by a court of appeal.

Jessica, now 18, from Swanmore, is still receiving treatment at Bath Hospital for the injuries she sustained in the crash in February, 2007.

The crash happened along the A32 near Mislingford, when Mr Collis was answering a 999 call to a road accident involving two young children.

The ambulance he was driving collided with Miss Barnett's Renault metres from the junction with Buddens Road.

The crash left Miss Barnett in a coma for 18 days, and she spent six months in hospital before returning home to the care of her parents.

Visual damage The injuries have left her with severe visual damage, facial scarring, co-ordination and speech problems, resulting in her requiring high levels of supervision and assistance with everyday activities.

Miss Barnett is claiming unlimited damages that will exceed £300,000 for the injuries suffered. The money will go towards cost of care and costs of medical treatment and therapies.

Last November, Mr Collis, of Lime Tree Place, East Preston, Sussex, was banned from driving for a year and given a 12-month community order by Portsmouth Crown Court after being found guilty of dangerous driving.

However, at an appeal in February this year, Judge Peter Ralls QC said he could not be sure Mr Collis's driving had fallen below the standard of a considerate and careful driver and allowed the appeal.

South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust said it was unable to comment for legal reasons.