Jeremy Clarkson Faces Legal Action Over Serious Pub Carpark Injury
Television personality Jeremy Clarkson is being sued by a woman who sustained serious injuries after falling in the carpark of his Farmer's Dog pub in the Cotswolds. Elizabeth Palmby, a 68-year-old NHS worker from Scunthorpe, broke multiple ribs and required extensive hand surgery following the accident.
Horrific Injury Details Emerge
Elizabeth Palmby's visit to Clarkson's popular pub turned traumatic when she tripped on temporary metal covers placed over muddy ground in the carpark. The sharp edges sliced open her hand, requiring surgeons to remove embedded metal fragments during a lengthy reconstruction procedure.
'It was supposed to be a great fun trip,' Elizabeth recalled. 'I really wanted to visit as I enjoyed watching his Amazon show. But it was memorable for all the wrong reasons.'
The incident occurred in November last year when Elizabeth and her husband Darren made the three-and-a-half-hour journey to visit both Diddly Squat Farm and the Farmer's Dog pub. After heavy rainfall, the field carpark had become muddy, prompting staff to place large metal sheets as temporary cover.
Dangerous Conditions Described
Elizabeth described the carpark conditions as particularly hazardous: 'The cars were continuous, and you really had to watch out as every time they went over these aluminium sheets that would move and rise up as they weren't fixed down and it was muddy underneath.'
After purchasing eggs from the farm shop and enjoying a soft drink at the pub, Elizabeth was walking back to her car when she caught her foot on an upturned metal sheet. 'I instinctively threw my hand out to save myself and badly banged my knee,' she explained. 'I fell flat landing on the bag carrying the eggs smashing them all.'
Medical Complications and Surgery
The initial hospital visit revealed only superficial injuries, but subsequent examinations showed more serious damage:
- Metal fragments embedded in her hand requiring surgical removal
- Multiple broken ribs discovered through chest X-rays
- A deep, jagged wound requiring ten stitches to close
- Permanent scarring on her hand
'The surgeon brought out some metal that he dug out of my hand and asked if I wanted to keep it as a souvenir,' Elizabeth revealed. 'But I didn't need them as the scar on my hand and my painful ribs are a permanent reminder of my pub trip.'
Safety Concerns and Legal Action
Despite reporting the incident and returning to check on safety improvements, Elizabeth found the carpark conditions unchanged. 'Nothing had changed,' she stated. 'I at least expected to see a sign saying "caution, uneven surface." But there wasn't.'
After receiving no response to her communications with Clarkson and his pub management, Elizabeth contacted accident specialists Express Solicitors to pursue a compensation claim.
Jack Klein, accident specialist at Express Solicitors, commented: 'Elizabeth suffered a horrific injury on what should have been a fun day out. Celebrities are not above the law, they need to make sure their premises are safe and fit for purpose to protect people visiting their premises inside and out.'
Planning Permission and Ongoing Risks
West Oxfordshire District Council has approved planning permission for a permanent hard surface in the carpark. However, work cannot commence until a detailed surface water drainage scheme receives approval in the coming months.
Until then, the temporary metal coverings remain in use, which Elizabeth warns continues to pose significant risks: 'It needs fixing now not later as more people could be seriously injured in the meantime.'
Broader Context of Clarkson's Ventures
Clarkson purchased The Windmill pub for approximately £1 million over two years ago, spending several months renovating the property before opening it to the public. The venue has since become a popular destination for fans of Clarkson's Farm and his television career.
This incident follows another recent injury involving a Clarkson's Farm star, Harriet Cowan, who required surgery after chopping the end of her finger off with a log splitter earlier this week.
The legal proceedings against Clarkson highlight ongoing concerns about celebrity-owned businesses maintaining proper safety standards for visitors, particularly in temporary or makeshift arrangements at popular tourist destinations.
