Surf Machine Causes Whiplash Injury

Gwen Spurlock, a top young surfer was rushed to hospital shortly after using the new indoor surf machine at Swansea’s new £32 million leisure centre, the LC. Gwen Spurlock, the British junior surfing champion was using the machine at its media launch, when she fell off.

After the incident the 16 year old complained of persistent headaches and extensive, painful bruising. In hospital she was found to have swelling on the brain and whiplash injuries. In order to relieve the pressure on her brain and reduce the risk of brain damage, she underwent surgery.

In the operating room, two holes the size of 10p pieces were drilled into her skull in order to reduce the pressure on her brain. She has missed ten weeks of school as a result. As she is currently studying for her GCSE’s this is an unfortunate time for her to be missing so much school.

In another devastating blow, it now looks as if Miss Spurlock will miss the world championships in May. She was planning to travel to France at the end of May in order to take part in the prestigious event.

At the end of this month she will be back in hospital for a brain scan to monitor the results of her surgery.

Immediately after the incident, before going into hospital, Miss Spurlock commented on the website Surf Solutions on her experience of using the indoor surf machine at the leisure centre.

She stated that she fell off a number of times despite being an expert surfer, “which was funny at first but then became a bit painful - bruising and headaches are the consequences”

Unfortunately, her injuries turned out to be a little more than just bruising and headaches. Whiplash is a serious injury caused by hyperextension of the neck and the pain caused by it can last for weeks or even months. The swelling on her brain could have led to serious brain damage had she not sought medical attention.

The LC said that as a result of the incident they have introduced strict new regulations for people using the machine. Wetsuits and helmets are now compulsory and no more injuries have arisen as a result of using the machine.

The LC say that they have no record of any injury received by Miss Spurlock while at the leisure centre. Neither have they been contacted by Miss Spurlock or her family regarding the incident.

The leisure centre, which is run by Bay Leisure released this statement:

“We were made aware some weeks back, via a third party, that she had apparently experienced a 'whiplash' injury whilst on the surf rider and we immediately took extra safety precautions by making the use of additional protective equipment compulsory. We have not been approached by anyone representing Miss Spurlock on this matter and we were certainly not aware that she had been in hospital.”

Hopefully Miss Spurlock will have no lasting damage due to her injuries. The machine is one of only 50 worldwide and the centre hopes that it will be a major attraction for aspiring surfers. Boy Claims over Accident on Bouncy Castle

A boy who received injuries while playing on a bouncy castle at a neighbours party is suing his neighbours and his father over the injury. The accident happened 2 years ago when the boy was 11 years old.

Sam Harris was playing on the bouncy castle at his neighbours party when another partygoer, who at fifteen years old was much older, somersaulted onto the trampoline, catching Sam’s head with his heel.

As a result Sam suffered a fractured skull and “very serious and traumatic brain injury” according to his consul, Susan Rodway QC. He is seeking 1million in damages.

Sam, with his mother Janet Spalding, who was not present at the party, allege that Mr and Mrs Perry who held the party for their ten year old triplets were not paying enough attention to the children on the bouncy castle and are to blame for Sam’s injuries.

Miss Rodway said in the hearing that Mrs Perry was the only adult present and should have been watching at all times as accidents on bouncy castles are “eminently foreseeable” and anyone doing somersaults should have been stopped.

Sam claims that in addition to not paying due attention to proceedings on the bouncy castle, Mrs Perry gave him permission to go on the bouncy castle, despite his father saying that he could not go on.

Mr and Mrs Perry have said in court that Sam’s father, David Harris is to blame for the accident as he was present at the party and should have been keeping an eye on his son. Mrs Perry denies giving Sam permission to go on the bouncy castle, saying that she explicitly told him to keep away.

Mr Harris, speaking about the incident, stresses that he at no point acted in way which would put his son in danger.

“I regard myself as a responsible parent, at that time and at all times. My assumption was that two people were supervising the party and that it was safe in those circumstances. The problem only occurred at the moment the bigger boy acted irresponsibly. I feel I acted like any normal parent in assessing the risk in the situation.”

Graham Ekhand QC who is acting in defence of the Perry’s says that Sam, who was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome in 2004, was inclined not to listen to instructions. He referred to school reports in which teachers pointed out his inability to follow simple instructions.

Mrs Perry said that despite meeting and talking with Miss Spalding, she was never made aware of the fact that Sam had Asperger’s syndrome.

The high court hearing is expected to last a further three or four days, despite Judge David Steel who is presiding over the case saying that he does not see the relevance of Sam’s condition and is concerned at the legal fees being “thrown away” in pursuing the case.