Mother wins £1.7m for Saudi pool accident

A British woman paralysed in a swimming pool accident at an illegal drinks party in Saudi Arabia won £1.7million in compensation today.

Cherry Frame was left paralysed from the neck down after she was pushed head first into the shallow end at a complex owned by BAE Systems, her husband's former employer.

The company agreed to a £1.68million payout after admitting 55 per cent of the blame for the incident in October 1996. The announcement ends a five-year battle for compensation by Mrs Frame, 45, who is now confined to a wheelchair.

The accident happened at a villa in Riyadh where she lived with her husband, Peter, 59, a pilot for BAE Systems, and their two children. Company employees were holding a fancy dress party where substantial amounts of illegal alcohol had been consumed. Mrs Frame was pushed into the pool from behind as a "prank".

Today she is dependent on help from her husband, who was recently diagnosed with cancer, and carers. The couple left Saudi Arabia after the accident and live in Newbridge-on-Wye in Powys, Wales. She had fought for more than £3million but agreed on the lower figure after accepting she was partly responsible. About £1.65 million is being paid to cover the 55 per cent share of the £3million claim. A further £30,000 was paid to cover medical costs.