Compensation to the kitesurfer Alessandro Ognibenethe court condemned the Ministry of Defense for the accident which occurred on Ladispoli beach during a military helicopter exercise.
Sucked up by helicopter while kitesurfing
“When the helicopter sucked me in, I fainted and found myself in a place that isn’t here…”, said the now 54-year-old dental technician from Rome, four years after the terrible and absurd accident of which he had been the victim. The man had been catapulted onto the beach of Torre Flavia from a height of about ten metres.
“I remember that I regained consciousness when I was already on the ground – he said – and blood was coming out of my mouth. I wanted to get up. A security guard told me I tried twice, but realized I couldn’t move. A very, very bad experience.”
The defense supported the “gust of wind” theory
Until now, the defense had always denied the impact with the aircraft, focusing more on the “gust of wind” than on the suction that tossed the kitesurfer several metres.
The memory always goes to the accident. “When the helicopter came in front of me – she recalls – and then turned, I felt a great whistle, a pressure in my ears, and I took off like a rocket. Then I fainted.” But now it’s also time to look forward: “I know that I’ll start again and that I made it. I’m full of pain and discomfort, but I live with it.”
Compensation of 243 thousand euros for the injuries reported
The sentence was issued at the end of the civil trial by judge Adolfo Ceccarini after investigations by the Port Authority. The 54-year-old was awarded compensation of over 243 thousand euros plus accrued interest and expenses to his lawyer, Giuseppe Maccarone.
Shooting pains all over the body
“After many years I have been living with excruciating pain. At night I still have nightmares, I have physical difficulties, sometimes I feel like I’ve stuck a knife in my pelvis. The other day I couldn’t get out of bed and I’m worried about my old age. But at least this satisfaction came from the court, a small step towards the criminal process.” These are the words of Every good after reading the sentence.
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Giulio Pinco Caracciolo
