A FORMER policeman who was accidentally shot in the chest while playing the part of a terrorist during a training exercise was awarded $6.8 million damages in the Court of Appeal yesterday.
Constable Chun Yat-nam, 35, attached to the Special Duties Unit (SDU), suffered brain damage after being hit by a plastic bullet fired by a colleague. The bullet was loaded by mistake.
Mr Chun was hit as the SDU squad known as the 'sharpshooters' practised marksmanship in an anti-terrorist exercise at Castle Peak on February 4, 1987.
He fell into a coma and later had an operation to have the bullet removed, after which it was discovered he had brain damage.
In an agreement between lawyers acting for the Commissioner of Police and Mr Chun it was agreed he receive damages of $6.8 million for loss of earnings, pension, housing allowance and other benefits. The government payout includes $650,000 for general damages.