A 42-year-old drainage engineer from Gosport, Hampshire, has received accident compensation after being injured at work.
Trevor Watson was employed by Freeflow Drains Ltd in Farlington when the accident happened. He was told to take his vehicle to another firm, Howes Precision Hydraulics in Fareham, in order to have repairs made to its jetting system.
Whilst the repairs were being carried out, an 'out-of-control' hose struck the worker in the face, reported The Portsmouth News. The force of the blow caused a deep cut beneath Mr Watson's right eye, and also seriously affected his vision in that eye.
The man was taken to hospital where he underwent eye surgery to repair his retina and iris, and is now forced to rely on eye-drops for the rest of his life.
Mr Watson reported to the newspaper that his vision 'comes and goes' in his damaged right eye, and is frightened that it may one day vanish altogether.
He has since been awarded an undisclosed accident compensation pay-out after the case was settled out of court.
Mr Watson argued that both companies should have issued him with suitable eye protection to wear whilst the repairs were carried out.