A trainee gynaecologist awarded a six-figure payout after her left leg was seriously crushed six years ago in a boating accident today said she was still in constant pain — but determined to live life to the full.
Raina Brethouwer, 30, was part of a group carrying out research dives on coral reefs in Bloody Bay, Tobago, in August 2009 when her left leg got stuck between the sand and the boat.
As she tried to board the boat, her skin was scraped down to the bone.
The accident forced her to change her career plans.
Ms Brethouwer has now received an out-of-court settlement for her injuries and loss of earnings after her lawyers discovered alleged health and safety failings by Surrey-based Coral Cay Conservation Ltd, including allowing her to use a boat that was not in good working order and did not have an anchor.
Ms Brethouwer travelled to the Caribbean to volunteer after finishing her degree to become a doctor.
The boat crushed her leg after hitting waves on its way to collect the divers.
She had multiple operations to clean her wounds and remove rotten skin in a hospital in Tobago.
She later had surgery to try to relieve her pain but was told by medics that her injury had caused severe muscle wastage and nerve damage.
Ms Brethouwer, who lives in Amsterdam, said: “I joined the initiative in Trinidad and Tobago as a break from my studies ... but instead I have had to change my career plan.
“I am still in pain everyday but am determined to lead as full a life as possible. I hope that my story will alert others to the potential damages of volunteering for projects abroad when there are not proper health and safety procedures in place.”
Philip Banks, of her lawyers Irwin Mitchell, said: “We are pleased that we have secured a settlement for Raina to help her face the future with more certainty.”
In 2011 Coral Cay Conservation became part of Lifesigns Group.
Its chief executive Alistair Cole said that neither he nor any member of his staff had been part of Coral Cay.
“I have nothing to say about this case,” he said.
