A FORMER soldier who broke his neck in a terror fall on an SAS selection course is fighting for damages in London's High Court.

Martin O'Connor, of Albert Road, Widnes fractured his spine in a 60-metre plunge from a knife-edge ridge in the Brecon Beacons on October 30, 1999.

The ex-Territorial Army corporal, who was taking part in an SAS selection course, was ascending Craig y Fan Ddu peak during a night navigation exercise, when a gust of wind blew him off the ridge.

Mr O'Connor suffered a cervical spine cord compression leading to 'incomplete tetraplegia', court papers revealed.

He is now seeking damages for his injuries from the Ministry of Defence.

In court documents, lawyers claim his superiors were at fault in failing to warn of the hazards of ascending a steep sheep track at night in 'close proximity' to a sheer drop.

The MoD denies any responsibility for Mr O'Connor's injuries.

Judge Mr Justice Owen has agreed to a defence application to move the trial on the issue of liability, originally set for last week, to July.