Inverness NHS Highland doctor paralysed with 'catastrophic injuries' from bicycle crash wins £4.5 million pay-out from bicycle manufacturers’ insurers
An Inverness doctor left paralysed after a bicycle crash has secured a £4.5 million out-of-court settlement from the bike maker’s insurers.
Back in August 2020, Dr Daniel Gordon of Raigmore Hospital suffered “catastrophic and life-changing” injuries to his spinal cord after the brand new all-terrain gravel bike failed.
Then just 27, he was only just three weeks into a new job at Raigmore Hospital, as part of NHS Highland’s health sciences teaching team.
How we first shared Dr Gordon’s story:
The keen cyclist was left with no movement from the chest down after the £2,300 Planet X Tempest SRAM Force 1 titanium bike’s front forks sheared in half on a grass slope in Inverness.
He was told he would be wheelchair dependent for the rest of his life.
Dr Gordon brought his claim initially against the seller of the bicycle, Planet X, but following their insolvency in 2023 the law firm Stewarts identified and pursued the claim against Planet X’s insurers Arch Insurance (UK) Limited and Chubb European Group SE.
At the end of 2023, Dr Gordon sued the bike firm’s insurers for £10million.
A five-day trial was due to commence at the English High Court on Tuesday, but out of court negotiations have ended with agreement Dr Gordon should receive a settlement sum of £4.5m.
The settlement includes provision for him to return to court to seek further damages should he suffer a rare, but serious and untreatable deterioration caused by a spinal cyst.
Originally, lawyers from the international injury team at law firm Stewarts were instructed to bring proceedings to the English High Court.
During the court proceedings, experts found the carbon fibre forks on Dr Gordon’s bicycle were materially thinner and weaker than two example forks provided by the manufacturer, Huizhou FlyBike Sports Equipment Co Ltd.
We reported in May 2021 how Dr Gordon had managed to return to work in his medical career and currently works for NHS Highland four days a week as a specialist respiratory registrar.
He has even revived his cycling exploits on a special bike, completing the hand cycling tour of Mallorca in 2022 and the London Marathon in 2025.
Dr Gordon married his fiancée, Laura Colacino, in 2024 and together they went on honeymoon to Peru, including a visit to the site of Machu Picchu.
“Despite a catastrophic and life-changing injury, I’ve been fortunate enough to be supported by Stewarts in pursuing a claim against Planet X’s insurers, the result of which means my future care and accommodation needs can be met,” he said.
“Stewarts have been exceptionally proficient, compassionate and offered me clear guidance through an incredibly difficult, complex and personally challenging time.
“I also have to thank Ewan Stirling, a friend and coach who first noticed the unusual way in which the fork sheared, without whom I would likely not have taken any action.
“I hope now to be able to move forwards and show that despite this injury, life can still be rewarding and fulfilling.”
