£28,000 award after holiday fall

Malcolm Jones was given lighter duties at work before he retired

A firefighter has been awarded £28,000 compensation after suffering a back injury on a Spanish holiday, which led to his eventual retirement.

Malcolm Jones, 53, from Ystradgynlais near Swansea, was injured when the camp bed he was sleeping on collapsed.

He had complained that the bed was too small but the hotel on the Costa Dorada did not provide an alternative.

Swansea County Court said holiday company Thomson had failed to exercise "reasonable skill and care".

Mr Jones - a firefighter for more than 30 years - fought his case for compensation with the help of the Fire Brigades' Union.

The accident was completely avoidable Ex-firefighter Malcolm Jones

He and his family were staying at a hotel on the Costa Dorada - a week away arranged following a bereavement.

But when they arrived at the hotel, they were shown to a cramped room with two single beds and a folding camp bed wedged between them.

Mr Jones complained that the camp bed was not suitable for his 5ft 8ins frame, but the hotel refused to move the family to another room, or to provide a different bed.

The room was so small that he had to sit on the bed and shuffle up and down to get in and out of it.

It was while he was trying to get off the bed that it collapsed beneath him.

He suffered injuries which, he said, ruined the holiday.

The problems got worse when he returned home, and he was away from work for several months.

Accident 'avoidable'

Thomson argued that it should not be held liable for Mr Jones' injuries.

The judge at Swansea County Court decided the company had failed to exercise "reasonable skill and care" by supplying the bed.

After the court hearing, Mr Jones said he could not have fought the case - which took more than four years - without the help of his union.

He said he was relieved the case was over, but added that the accident could have been avoided.

"I just couldn't understand why the hotel didn't listen when I complained," he said.

"I was so angry. The accident was completely avoidable."

Mr Jones' injuries meant he had to be given lighter duties at work but, as his pain got worse, he was forced to give up.

"I could have finished after the accident, but I didn't want to - the job was in my heart," he said.

"I struggled on, taking painkillers and going to see chiropractors and osteopaths, but in the end I had to finish work. It was too much."

Following the court case, Thomson said it did not wish to comment on the matter.