British soldier sues Ministry of Defence over cliff jump injury in Cyprus

Ciaran Macmillan, a 29-year-old British soldier formerly stationed at RAF Akrotiri, has filed a lawsuit in the UK High Court against the Ministry of Defence (MoD) seeking up to £500,000 in damages. The claim follows a May 2021 incident where Macmillan suffered a crushed spine and permanent disability after jumping from a 50ft cliff during an off-duty excursion with four colleagues.

According to Macmillan’s legal counsel, barrister Craig Carr, the claimant was pressured into the jump by a senior non-commissioned officer who stood behind him on the ledge. Macmillan reports that he immediately lost sensation in his legs upon hitting the water and required surgery involving the insertion of metal screws. He argues that the area, located on sovereign British military land, should have been prohibited for such activities.

In its defense, the MoD contends that Macmillan was off duty at the time of the accident and had voluntarily accepted the inherent risks associated with the activity. The case remains ongoing as the court reviews whether the military bears responsibility for the actions of the superior officer and the safety of the site in question.