Firefighter paralysed in motorbike crash

A West Midlands firefighter who suffered 16 years of pain following a motorbike crash committed suicide after doctors told him there was nothing wrong with him.

43 year old Derek Tonks was travelling to the fire station in Handsworth, Birmingham when he was hit by a car, suffering horrific injuries.

The accident which happened in 1998 left Mr Tonks with major spinal injuries and without the use of one of his arms after he was crushed beneath the vehicle.

After getting his dream job as a firefighter, Derek had tried to get into the profession for 10 years and suffered his injuries while driving to his second only shift at the station.

Spending weeks in intensive care following the crash, Derek Tonks bravely battled to get his life back, living in a specially adapted flat, the fireman even taught himself to drive again despite his disabilities.

But an inquest earlier this year heard that as Derek Tonks had gradually gone downhill, he committed suicide in February following a confrontation with doctors.

His mother Patricia Tonks gave evidence at the hearing saying that her son went to the hospital fearing that his spleen which had been ruptured in the accident had become swollen as he was having difficulty swallowing.

Mrs Tonks says, "He was told there was nothing wrong and was shouted at by a doctor".

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Accident Solicitors

Batley & Brighouse

Tel: 0845 603 0708