Highland Games judge injured by stray hammer considers legal action

A JUDGE struck by a stray throwing hammer at a Highland games is considering suing the organisers.

• Marion MacKenzie hit by 8lb hammer which escaped safety nets and landed in Highland Dancing tent, causing severe bruising

• Mrs MacKenzie has asked for games to be moved from current location in Portree as she believes it is too small for the heavy events

Marion MacKenzie claims she could have been killed by the 8lb hammer which hit her while she was assisting the Highland dancing judges in a tent during the Skye Games in August.

The hammer came through the entrance and struck her on the left side of her body – and she claims only her handbag saved her.

Mrs MacKenzie, from Portree, suffered severe bruising and was kept in hospital for observation as doctors were concerned that her spleen might have been damaged.

The incident happened during the first round of the heavy hammer competition.

A throw by New Zealander Peter Mayne escaped the safety nets and fell on a nearby tent where a Highland dance display was taking place.

Mrs MacKenzie, 47, says she is in talks with a solicitor about taking action.

She said: “All I want is for something to be done or someone is going to be killed.

“That’s the only reason I am pushing this. I could be dead if it had hit my head. I don’t want to cause any problems, but I assume they are well insured and that should never have happened.

“I’m not going to have it on my conscience if I hear there has been an accident.”

Mrs MacKenzie is asking for either the games to be moved from its home at The Meall, Portree - as she believes it is too small for the heavy events - or for extra safety measures to be put in place.