Villa Skydive Victim Fights Courts Alone

An RAF skydiver who cheated death in a Villa Park plunge has run out of money in his battle to win compensation over his horror fall.

Former Flight Sergeant Nigel Rogoff will have to represent himself in a High Court battle in London after a five-year fight.

The 45-year-old had his left leg amputated above the knee after crashing into the Trinity Road stand in front of 40,000 horrified fans in 1998.

Tomorrow, Mr Rogoff will face top government barristers, staking a personal injury claim of £50,000.

"The whole process has bankrupted me, I have used all my financial resources," said the father-of-two, who lives in London.

"I have had to sell my house because of the way the whole process has dragged on, but I will have my day in court."

Mr Rogoff was part of an RAF display team dressed as Santa who jumped over Villa Park during the Boxing Day 1998 fixture against Arsenal.

He was in court last Friday for legal arguments, but it was the last time that his insurance company would foot the bill.

Now he faces a four-day case, where he will call former comrades as witnesses, some of whom are still serving in the forces.

"I am obviously asking these guys to make a case against their employers, which is a hell of a thing to do," added the father of twins.

Mr Rogoff was given more than 170 pints of blood following his fall, and suffered a fractured pelvis, fractures to both legs and a fractured right arm.

He is claiming is that the jump should never have taken place because winds at the stadium were gusting at up to 35 mph, well above the safety limit.

The MoD investigated and denied the claim.

source: Birmingham Evening Mail (Last Updated: Monday 31 January, 2005)

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