Londoner Will Pike has been forced to launch a public appeal for help after being critically injured in the terror attacks on the Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai in November 2008. Pike was paralysed when he tried to escape from his bedroom window as the hotel was being attacked, he sustained serious injuries as he fell and is now a paraplegic.
Since returning to London Will has discovered that the UK government appears unwilling to provide any form of compensation to help him adapt to a lifetime in a wheelchair. He is excluded from the compensation scheme that was set up after the 7 July 2005 terror bombings in London because he was injured abroad. So far he has received only £15,000 from a Red Cross charity fund.
Along with victims of terror attacks in Bali and Egypt Will has discovered that the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme does not extend to UK citizens who are injured abroad. Even if he did qualify, he would not receive sufficient financial help to cater for his needs for daily assistance.
Will has reluctantly decided to launch a public appeal, the
Will Pike Mumbai Appeal to try and raise funds to adapt his home and pay for care, physiotherapy, and his other needs. The appeal is also campaigning to change the law so that any UK citizen who is a victim of terrorism abroad will, in future, be entitled to compensation.
Russell Levy who is representing Will said:
“It is sickening to think that the government is not prepared to help its citizens whose lives have been devastated by terror attacks abroad. The government has shown little real interest in the fate of UK citizens who were injured in Bali, Egypt or Mumbai. After suffering such terrible experiences the very least they should expect is that they do not have to worry about how they will cope in the future.”
For more information please contact Russell Levy on 020 7650 1200.
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