$16m award for bun champ over accident

A former Cheung Chau bun-scrambling champion who was left paraplegic after a traffic accident has won HK$16 million in damages in a High Court ruling.

Champion rock climber Lai Chi-wai, 37, who won the bun tourney in 2008, filed a civil lawsuit in 2014 against drivers Tong Hung-kwok and Tsui Siu-fai over an accident in December 2011 that left him wheelchair-bound.

Despite his disability, Lai pulled himself up in his wheelchair with the assistance of a hoisting device to reach the peak of Lion Rock on the fifth anniversary of his traffic accident. His story was made into the recently released movie, Lion Rock.

Responding to yesterday's ruling, Lai said he did not feel anything special about the size of the award.

He said he trusted the court and will start a new life.

Court of First Instance judge Mohan Bharwaney, in a written judgment yesterday, said: "This is another sad case of a young man cut down in his prime as a result of an injury suffered in a road traffic accident.

"What makes this case particularly distressing is the fact that prior to the accident, the plaintiff was a world champion rock climber who can no longer pursue and enjoy his sport," Bharwaney said.

On December 9, 2011, the then 28-year-old was riding a motorcycle on Tuen Mun Road going toward Tuen Mun.

Upon reaching the Siu Lam section, Lai's motorcycle was struck from behind by Tong's car. As a result of the collision, Lai fell on to the third lane and was hit by Tsui's car.

Bharwaney ruled that Lai was a born and determined athlete. His road to international championship in rock climbing began in 2000 with a tournament in Beijing when he was 18.

In the years that followed, he rose to become one of the top professional rock climbers, ranking number eight in the world in 2006.

"His rock climbing career not only brought him success and satisfaction as a Hong Kong elite athlete but also financial income," the judgment stated.

Doctors agreed that with his spinal injury, Lai was not capable of resuming rock climbing as an athlete.

While Lai had been a coach for the Hong Kong climbing team from 2014 to 2016, he left after parents of students and other coaches challenged his ability, the court was told earlier.

On top of his career, the accident also had a big impact on his family life. Lai married in 2009, and his son was born three months after the accident.

Bharwaney estimated that damages should total HK$21.8 million, including HK$1.8 million for pain, suffering and loss of amenities; HK$5.3 million for agreed damages, HK$4.9 million for loss of income and HK$4 million for an exoskeleton allowing him to stand on his legs.

About 75 percent of the assessed total - HK$16 million - should be awarded to the plaintiff, according to the judgment.

amy.nip@singtaonewscorp.com