The long-drawn case of Bernama journalist David Chelliah who made headlines 10 years ago, when a 14kg monorail wheel fell and seriously injured him, has finally been amicably settled.

The settlement was finalised through the initiated mediation process at the Kuala Lumpur High Court in Kuala Lumpur last Friday.

The mediation session was chaired by Judicial Commisioner Nik Hasmat Nik Mohamad on March 12 and both the plaintiff and defendants came to an agreement over the quantum of settlement.

Following the settlement and terms of confidentiality over the quantum being recorded, David’s case finally comes to a close.

The defendants, through their insurance companies, have to make the full payment within 45 days of the settlement being recorded by the court.

David, 50, a sub-editor with the national news agency, said he was relieved that the case has finally been concluded.

“I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and am glad it is all over now. I am happy and like to close this chapter of my life as it is not a pleasant one to cherish,” he said in Kuala Lumpur today.

David was seriously injured and his skull cracked in eight places when the monorail train safety wheel fell on him during its trial run along Jalan Sultan Ismail in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 16, 2002.

He then filed a RM5 million negligence suit in March 2003 and six years later in April, the defendants - Monorail Malaysia Technology Adn Bhd and KL Monorail Systems Sdn Bhd - were found liable by the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

David was represented by lawyers Steven Thiru and Brian Jit Singh under the guidance of counsel Dr Cyrus Dass from Shook Lin & Bok while T Tharumaraj from Azim, Tunku Farik & Wong acted for the defendants.

- Bernama