Man sues VANOC over ski accident
Last Updated: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 | 5:54 AM ET
The Canadian Press
A Vancouver man is suing local Olympic organizers and the operators of Cypress Mountain over a ski accident at the venue that will host snowboarding and freestyle skiing at the Winter Games.
David Leonard Avery has filed a statement of claim that says he was skiing in bounds on Cypress in February 2008 when he fell and hit his head on snow-grooming equipment owned by the local Olympic organizing committee, known as VANOC.
The statement says Avery suffered injuries to his head, face, neck and back, and has since experienced memory loss and depression.
The document claims VANOC and the operators of the ski area were negligent by placing the equipment in an unsafe area and failing to put up warning signs or fencing to avoid such an accident.
Avery, a chauffeur, is seeking unspecified damages.
The statement of claim contains allegations that haven't been tested in court, and neither officials for VANOC nor the ski resort have filed a statement of defence.
A spokesman for Cypress Mountain directed calls to VANOC, which declined to comment on the lawsuit.
