£1.3m for man put in coma by bus fall

A family man left in a coma after being trapped in the doors of a London night bus and falling into the road today won a compensation deal worth millions of pounds at the High Court.

Vincenso Bollito, 36, was trying to catch the 159 bus home after a night out with family and friends in the West End when the accident happened shortly before midnight on 15 July 2005.

He became stuck in the double decker's doors after boarding at traffic lights in Haymarket and, when the doors opened again, he lost his balance and fell into the road, striking his head.

The self-employed designer, of Streatham, was unable to recognise even close members of his family when he awoke.

He remains partially sighted, has severe memory problems and is dependent on the care of his family.

The bus operator, Arriva London, today agreed to settle Mr Bollito's case for a lump sum of £1.3 million, with lifetime index-linked annual payments of £31,500 to cover his care.