A former fireman run over by his own 13-ton fire engine, is suing chiefs for £830,000 compensation.

Lee Goldfinch, of London Road, Sittingbourne, was badly hurt when his mate let the handbrake off and accidentally rolled the engine they were using backwards over his leg.

The injuries left him with problems climbing ladders due to his weak knee, and led to him having to ditch his “ideal” job in the fire service.

The 44-year-old is now suing the London Fire Commissioner over the October 2015 accident, claiming up to £830,000 in compensation at Mayors and City County Court.

The court heard the veteran firefighter had been retrieving tools from the parked vehicle in Southwark when the driver released the brake to take its wheels off the kerb.

The accident caused a major tear in his left knee and Mr Goldfinch will have to undergo knee replacement surgery in the future.

His barrister, Jeremy Crowther, said Mr Goldfinch now “has difficulty undertaking heavy lifting or ladder work.”

It meant he had to give up his fire service career and ambitions to make it to watch commander.

The case was due to be heard last week, but was adjourned until April to allow the Fire Commissioner to gather more medical evidence.

The commissioner admits liability for the accident, but disputes the compensation figure

Mr Goldfinch said he had started working part-time as a tree surgeon before the accident, but that his injuries have made it increasingly challenging.

“My knee is very weak and climbing trees isn’t easy,” he said outside court.

"I’d turn down the money to have everything back as it was before in a heartbeat..."

“It’s difficult doing ladders. It takes more time and I have to do it in a very unorthodox way.

“I must be the only person who does it with one leg sticking out the side.

“I’d turn down the money to have everything back as it was before in a heartbeat.”

Adjourning the case, Judge Steven Gee QC said: “He had found his place in life as a fireman.

“It bought pleasure and happiness to him and his family, and he has been deprived of that by the accident.

“He doesn’t know what employment he can now find."

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