Payout relief for Bootham cherry-picker fall victim Christopher Cook (From York Press)

Payout relief for Bootham cherry-picker fall victim Christopher Cook

8:16am Thursday 4th February 2010 in

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A FATHER-OF-THREE left on the brink of death after being catapulted from a hydraulic platform at his York home is finally looking to the future after winning a damages payout from the firm which supplied the equipment.

Christopher Cook’s family were told to expect the worst, and to consider turning off his life-support system, when he fell 30ft to the pavement outside his house in Bootham in August 2007.

Mr Cook, 46, was using the machinery, provided by Osbaldwick-based William Birch & Sons Ltd, to paint his home when it was hit by a truck.

He was knocked out of the basket and left with a fractured skull, and brain damage so severe he could not remember his son being born.

But Mr Cook, who runs a building and property development company, survived.

He has now received a “substantial” out-of-court settlement from William Birch & Sons Ltd, which was fined in 2008 for breaching health and safety law.

“I still have no memory of the incident,” said Mr Cook.

“I’d arranged to hire a cherry-picker as the area I wanted to paint was 30ft from the ground.

“When it arrived, the operator parked outside our home and he and I both climbed into the basket, which was still resting on the back of the vehicle.

“I actually don’t remember what happened at all. I’ve been told that when the truck hit us, I was knocked from the basket and fell to the floor.”

Mr Cook needed emergency treatment at York Hospital before being transferred to Leeds General Infirmary, where he was in a coma for almost a month.

“This has been a very difficult time for me and my family, but with their love and support, and the help and encouragement of our friends, we have made it through this ordeal together,” he said.

“I’m thrilled that we’ve successfully settled our claim. Now we can look forward to moving on with our lives.”

Gary Herbert, of Fentons Solicitors, who represented Mr Cook, said: “This has been a horrific experience for him and his family.

“His injuries were so serious that, at one time, doctors said he was technically brain dead and advised Mrs Cook to consider removing the life-support machinery.

“The seriousness of the incident cannot be overstated – he didn’t even remember his youngest son being born. However, he has made the most remarkable of recoveries.”

William Birch & Sons did not wish to comment, apart from saying the matter had been handled by its insurance representatives.