Dominic Pearson from Thetford hopes to win compensation via the courts against Chicksands Bike Park in Bedfordshire, where he was injured in January 2022.
The Mail reports Mr Pearson, a 39-year-old former army mechanic, was riding on a trail called the Snake Run in the park near Biggleswade in January, 2022, when he saw a ramped jump in his path as he came around a bend.
Mr Pearson, who usually enjoyed riding trails without jumps braked to avoid the ramp.
He then went over the handlebars of his bike before hitting a hump in the ground head-first, fracturing four ribs.
Two weeks after the accident, Mr Pearson posted on social media saying he had had been involved in “a traumatic and potentially life changing accident” whilst cycling.
Dominic Pearson pictured in hospital in an image shared on social media (Image: Facebook)
“It resulted in leaving me with a broken back, spinal cord damage and current inability to move my legs,” he told friends.
“After a week in intensive care, and having surgery to stabilise my T6 spinal fracture I am now on a long road to recovery.”
Mr Pearson, who also suffered other fractures, along with lung and psychological injuries, was treated at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge before spending months in rehabilitation at a specialist spinal centre in Sheffield.
In an update three months after the accident, he posted: “The bad news is I am currently paralysed from the nipples down, with no feeling or movement and suffer a lot of nerve pain in my legs and abdomen.
Dominic Pearson pictured after the accident (Image: Facebook)
“But, the good news is I am doing great with my therapy, I am fully independent with daily stuff like showering, dressing and getting around in my wheelchair (wheelies too).
“I have learnt to swim un-aided just this week and how to get in and out of a car and look forward to driving again soon.”
Mr Pearson worked as a mechanic in the army from 2008 to 2016, before moving on to a job at Norfolk supercar manufacturer Lotus.
He is seeking provisional damages allowing him to return to court to seek more compensation if his condition worsens and he develops more spinal complications.
The entrance to Chicksands Bike Park, near Biggleswade (Image: Google)
He is accusing the park owners of negligence, saying they failed to take care to check he would be reasonably safe.
Chicksands’ website says it operates a range of trails in its woodland park and warns its directors and staff are not liable for personal injury.
“Chicksands Bike Park is an extreme riding facility and all users face the risk of serious injury, physical and mental trauma or death whilst riding in the park,” it says.
“All riders use the bike park strictly at their own risk and agree to these risks when buying a day pass or taking out a membership with Chicksands Bike Park.”