A former police sergeant who was left a paraplegic after a motorcycle accident severed his spinal cord is seeking $30 million in damages. Coleman Siu Koon-man, 42, was off duty when his bike and a light goods vehicle driven by Shum Chi-chung collided on November 21, 1999. Knocked unconscious, Mr Siu was taken to hospital, where doctors had to resuscitate him. His spinal cord was severed in the crash, leaving him permanently paralysed from the waist down. Mr Justice Conrad Seagroatt heard that Mr Siu joined the police force in 1980 and in 1989 he was promoted to sergeant. In addition to a loss of feeling from the chest down, he told the court he also felt persistent pain that doctors told him he would have for the rest of his life. As part of his damages claim against Mr Shum, Mr Siu is seeking to have a helper to nurse him. Mr Siu's counsel, Benjamin Yu SC, told the court yesterday the accident had also psychologically affected his client. Mr Siu was feeling guilty that his pillion passenger - a work colleague who was due to be married before the accident - was also severely injured. Mr Yu said the accident had also placed tremendous strain on his family. The hearing continues today.
