A British woman who was paralysed during her dream holiday could set a legal precedent by submitting a personal injury compensation claim against a travel company.

As Sylvia Brown enjoyed her 40th wedding anniversary as well as her 60th birthday in Thailand with her 64 year old husband John.

The pair were on a train when it stopped suddenly. Mrs Brown “flew threw the air”, breaking her neck. After over a fortnight in hospital, she was flown back to England.

The accident has left Mrs Brown a tetraplegic. The couple’s bungalow in Exeter, Devon, can’t be converted for wheelchair use forcing the couple to put their house on the market so that Mrs Brown can enter a carehome, adding to their heartbreak.

They are pursuing compensation claims to cover the cost of rehabilitation and other related needs as a result of the disability against the train company and tour company Bath Travel.

Each company has so far declined to comment, and have ignored requests for financial compensation as the cause of the accident has not been determined.

Mrs Brown said: “I was expecting a fantastic trip on this world famous train, not to end up in a wheelchair with (the companies) ignoring me.”

Her husband has desperately sought a solution that does not involve giving up their home. He said:

“We have done everything right and now we are faced with this nightmare situation. It is just devastating.”

Representing the couple is Julian Chamberlayne of Stewart’s Law, who added:

“They were innocent passengers yet they have been left to fend for themselves and that is just not good enough.”