Man who sued over accident which left him ‘afraid of heights’ spotted on Europe’s tallest waterslide
Ben Bardsley ordered to pay £14,000 in legal costs over 'nonsense' claim
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A man who sued after claiming an accident left him afraid of heights lost his claim after video emerged of him careening down Europe’s tallest waterslide.
Ben Bardsley, of Stockport, Greater Manchester, made the personal injury claim after falling into a koi carp pond which was being dug in his garden in 2015.
The 38-year-old bodybuilder said the incident left him scared of heights and unable to lift weights, according to the BBC.
But Manchester County Court dismissed his claim as “nonsense” after insurance company Aviva, which was acting for the pond supplier, uncovered a social media post which showed Mr Bardsley on top of the 108ft Verti-Go waterslide in Benidorm, Spain.
The video showed Mr Bardsley hurtling down the slide at speeds of up to 62mph.
Aviva also discovered footage of the gym owner lifting weights after the date of the accident, which saw him pushed into the pond by the bucket of a digger.
Recorder Richard Hartley QC, dismissing the case last month, said the evidence showed Mr Bardsley was guilty of “fundamental dishonesty in respect of his claim”.
A lawyer representing Aviva said Mr Bardsley’s damages were estimated at around £4,500, but that he “lost everything” by exaggerating his injury claims.
Compounding the loss of damages, he was also ordered by the court to pay £14,000 in legal costs.
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