Specialist Lawyers Seek Help To Gain Answers Following Serious Incident

The family of a 19-year-old man who was left with serious head injuries after being involved in a severe car crash in Suffolk are appealing for witnesses to come forward to help with an investigation so that he can receive specialist help in his recovery.

Cory Godbold, from Blythburgh, Halesworth in Suffolk suffered multiple serious injuries when his Peugeot 106 collided with a telegraph pole after leaving the carriageway.  Cory sustained serious head injuries and was admitted to the Major Trauma Centre at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge where he was cared for in the neurosurgery department.

The incident happened on the B1387 near Walberswick on 2 December 2014 at around midday on the stretch of road about 350 to 650 metres east of the junction between the B1387 “The Street” and Dunwick Road, near Walberswick, Suffolk.

His family has instructed specialist serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell’s Cambridge office to investigate the accident in a bid to help Cory access specialist rehabilitation treatment he needs to aid his recovery.

It is understood that Cory’s vehicle spun off the road, hitting a telegraph pole before coming to rest.  No one else was present in the car and weather conditions on that day were dry and it was not icy.  It is also known that the Council undertook road repairs soon after Cory’s accident.

Cory was air lifted by an RAF helicopter from a nearby base  to Addenbrookes Hospital due to the serious injuries he sustained and was sedated for his first month in Hospital.  He required a bolt inserting into his head to relieve the pressure due to the severity of his injuries and had a small bleed on the brain. Unfortunately, Cory suffered a complication during his treatment and developed a clot which went into his lungs.  He received neurological rehabilitation and was later transferred to Norfolk & Norwich Hospital.  

His condition has improved with the help of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and neuropsychology. Although Cory is making good progress, he still suffers from his brain injury which affects his decision making, personality and mood swings.

Cory’s mother, Carla Godbold, said: “Cory is doing brilliantly and making good progress with the help of rehabilitation and support from his family.  He requires support on a daily basis and is now attending a Rehabilitation Centre where he is having specific therapy for his needs. 

“Cory is a qualified car mechanic and had secured an apprenticeship at a local airfield which he was looking forward to and was due to start in January 2015 had the accident not taken place.  He really wants to get back as much as possible to doing the kinds of things he used to enjoy.

“It is likely Cory will need help for a long time to come and in order to help provide that support we hope any witnesses to the crash will be able to help shed light on what happened to help our legal team investigate.”

Neil Whiteley, a specialist serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Cory, is appealing for help from potential witnesses. 

Expert Opinion

“The Police attended the scene of the accident but there are no known witnesses. We need to find out what happened in order to help Cory continue to access the specialist rehabilitation programmes which are helping him so much in his recovery.

“We are particularly interested in speaking to anybody who may also have had difficulty controlling their vehicle whilst driving on the same stretch of road on or around the 2 December 2014 as it might help explain why his car left the road that day.” Neil Whiteley - Partner & Director of Legal Services - Personal Injury

Anyone who may be able to help with information, either an eye witness on the day of the accident, or can contribute information regarding the road condition of the B1387 is asked to contact Neil Whiteley on 01223 791801 or email neil.whiteley@irwinmitchell.com.

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in Serious Injury Claims.