McLaren sued for £10m after top surgeon injured in snowmobile crash

A top neurosurgeon is suing McLaren for £10m after being left with a “significant” hand tremor following a snowmobile crash on a £23,000 adventure holiday.

Dr Andrew Cannestra, a spine surgery specialist, suffered a head injury after losing control of a snowmobile during a holiday in Lapland.

The surgeon, 53, and his partner went on the £23,000 four-night Pure McLaren Arctic Experience, with the doctor taking part in a guided snowmobile trek as part of the holiday package.

But the surgeon, who was driving a Lynx Xtrim snowmobile for the first time, crashed into a tree while travelling at around 40mph.

He is now suing McLaren Automotive Events Ltd for £10m and claims he will be forced to retire from his £1.6m-a-year job in the next few years because of medical complications resulting from the crash.

Before the accident, Dr Cannestra had been diagnosed with a “benign” essential tremor in the hands which was very mild in form, was “well controlled by occasional doses of medication”, and allowed him to perform a “full range of neurosurgery”.

Neil Block, his barrister said the head trauma means he now needs “significant” medication to quell the tremor, adding: “The prognosis is that within five years Dr Cannestra will have to cease working.”

Matthew Chapman, representing McLaren Automotive, has denied the company’s liability, insisting the local guide did his utmost to ensure the snow trek was safe.

McLaren also suggested Dr Cannestra failed to take due care during the experience.

London’s High Court heard that the Florida-based surgeon and his partner signed up for the luxury holiday in the Arctic circle in February 2020.

The “ice-driving experience” package allows guests to drive McLaren supercars on a frozen test circuit in Ivalo, Finland, alongside other activities including the snowmobile trip.

Court documents show the snowmobile tour was provided as part of the McLaren holiday package by local operators Luxury Action Oy.

Dr Cannestra and his partner had been the only guests taking the tour on the afternoon of February 2, 2020.

Holiday on ice gone wrong

Mr Block said Dr Cannestra’s accident followed an initial 15-minute trial ride through trees with his partner during which he says they hit speeds of around 30mph.

The guide allegedly then took Dr Cannestra on a solo ride after telling him he was “doing well” and they should “go off together and have some fun”, the court heard.

Dr Cannestra’s barrister claimed he crashed his vehicle at around 40mph after losing sight of his guide, owing to poor visibility.

“Dr Cannestra had lost sight of (the guide) due to the increasing gap between them and consequently was unaware of the second series of left-hand bends or the short straight section of track on the approach to it,” said Mr Block.

Lawyers for the surgeon said the accident was caused by an insufficient safety briefing and a failure to ensure the track was clearly marked out.

They also claim the guide was at fault for riding too far ahead and that he turned the setting of Dr Cannestra’s snow buggy into a relatively advanced mode although the medical practitioner was just a novice rider.

The case reached the High Court ahead of the trial which is set to be heard from April 2025 and could last up to eight days.