A former tram conductor is taking legal action for damages following an incident in which he was given an electric shock.

iomtoday revealed back in 2013 how a conductor on the Manx Electric Railway suffered an electric shock when a controller in the rear cab of illuminated tram no.9 went live.

We reported that the crewman was taken to hospital as a precaution following the incident in TT week.

Public transport director Ian Longworth said at the time that the man was released from hospital ’almost immediately’ and ’although uninjured was obviously shaken by the incident’.

A defect was found with the tram which was repaired.

But after the article was published we were contacted by a member of staff at the MER who said the incident had been far more serious than was suggested.

The conductor had been at A&E at Noble’s Hospital for eight hours and had sustained burns to his hands and feet and suffered muscle paralysis after the 550V direct current passed through his body.

It is understood that the man still suffers from neuropathic pain and has not worked since.

He is seeking damages for pain, suffering and loss of employment prospects.

Under Freedom of Information legislation, we requested that the Department of Infrastructure provide full details of the incident which took place on May 30, 2013.

We also requested a copy of a report or update letter outlining the results of any investigation into the accident, and asked for details of any actions taken as a result to avoid a repeat of this incident.

But our request has been refused, the DoI insisting that the information we sought is absolutely exempt from disclosure as it is subject to ongoing legal proceedings.