Bridge saga couple sue army for $4.5 million
Andrew Koubaridis
Wanganui Chronicle
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Wanganui ( New Zealand):
Wanganui couple Keith and Margaret Berryman are “burnt out” and tired – but the determined couple are vowing to fight on and are suing the New Zealand Army for $4.5 million.
The lawsuit alleges negligence and breach of contract by the army which built a bridge leading to the Berryman’s King Country farm in 1986.
Eight years later the bridge collapsed and Inglewood beekeeper Ken Richards, who was driving across it, plunged 30 metres to his death.
The couple’s lawyer, Dr Rob Moodie, last week served the damages suit on the Solicitor-General at the Wellington High Court.
Charges laid against the Berrymans by Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) were eventually thrown out, but the couple lost the family farm and incurred huge debts during the battle.
Mr Berryman told the Wanganui Chronicle he was “burnt out” by the ordeal but would carry on fighting.
Mr Berryman said the lawsuit wasn’t something he wanted to do, but he felt there was no other alternative. He was critical of Prime Minister Helen Clark, whom he accused of abandoning them.
Apr 17, 2006
Andrew Koubaridis
Wanganui Chronicle
______________
Wanganui ( New Zealand):
Wanganui couple Keith and Margaret Berryman are “burnt out” and tired – but the determined couple are vowing to fight on and are suing the New Zealand Army for $4.5 million.
The lawsuit alleges negligence and breach of contract by the army which built a bridge leading to the Berryman’s King Country farm in 1986.
Eight years later the bridge collapsed and Inglewood beekeeper Ken Richards, who was driving across it, plunged 30 metres to his death.
The couple’s lawyer, Dr Rob Moodie, last week served the damages suit on the Solicitor-General at the Wellington High Court.
Charges laid against the Berrymans by Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) were eventually thrown out, but the couple lost the family farm and incurred huge debts during the battle.
Mr Berryman told the Wanganui Chronicle he was “burnt out” by the ordeal but would carry on fighting.
Mr Berryman said the lawsuit wasn’t something he wanted to do, but he felt there was no other alternative. He was critical of Prime Minister Helen Clark, whom he accused of abandoning them.
Apr 17, 2006
