A fireman whose hand was amputated as a result of being injured during a training exercise has received £1.5million in compensation.
Ian McDonald, 37, was part of the teams at the Stockline Plastics disaster in Glasgow in 2004 – and 2007’s Glasgow Airport terror attack.
But his career was left in tatters after an injury sustained during a training exercise at Bishopbriggs Fire Station in 2014.
Faulty cutting gear caused a fine jet of hydraulic fluid to pierce his leather safety gloves.
Specialists at Glasgow Royal Infirmary amputated his right little finger. His ring finger was removed a year later.
He was admitted to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow last June and had his right hand amputated at the wrist, after 18 days and six surgeries.
Dad-of-four Ian, from Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow, said: “When blood tests revealed I was poisoned, we realised something happened with the cutting gear. My dexterity remained pretty good but the pain was agonising and nothing would stop it.
“When I heard the full hand had to go, the idea of being pain-free made it easier to accept.”
David Nellaney, of Digby Brown, said: “No settlement can alter the past but it can improve the future. In Ian’s case it will provide access to medical treatment and ease the implications of this workplace injury.”
David McGown, deputy chief officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We are pleased that we were able to work together to reach an agreement which ensures access to medical treatment and quality of life improvements.”
