The Guardian's former education editor, Donald MacLeod, is suing the Metropolitan Police over a cycling accident in London which left him with severe brain damage.
MacLeod spent two weeks in a coma in May 2010 after his bike was clipped by a police car responding to reports of a shooting, sending him flying through the air.
He had been working at the Guardian's London offices, based at the time in Farringdon, and was cycling home to Stoke Newington after a drink at a nearby wine bar.
He suffered severe head injuries and is now unable to care for himself and needs to use a wheelchair. His wife Barbara is overseeing the High Court legal battle.
MacLeod's sister, Janet, told The Chronicle:
Over the past four years he’s made some good progress, amazing really since he in a coma for weeks and not expected to pull through.They thought he would be completely brain damaged but he’s re-learning how to do things despite the fact he’s still incredibly disabled.His understanding of things has improved and, although he can’t communicate with us, he understands conversation and he laughs at us. He’s made amazing strides over just a few years.
MacLeod started his career at the Durham Advertiser and the Chronicle, and also spent time at the Scotsman and the Independent.
The hearing at the High Court continues and is expected to last a week.
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