Pilot hit on the head by a Kentish Town tube sign has been left with fear of heights - and is now taking legal action against TfL

Piero Burresi-Paone, 58, was hit by the three stone sign in Kentish Town station
He was walking with wife Federica and six-year-old daughter when sign fell
Pilot claims he's lucky to be alive and if sign hit his daughter she could have died

Published: 01:47 BST, 31 July 2021 | Updated: 01:47 BST, 31 July 2021

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An airline pilot claims he was left with vertigo after a heavy sign landed on his head as he walked with his family through a London train station.

Piero Burresi-Paone, 58, from Crouch End, said he is lucky to be alive after the three-stone sign landed on his head at Kentish Town station.

He was walking with his wife Federica and his six-year-old daughter through the entrance of the station when the sign broke off in high winds.

Pictured, Piero Burresi-Paone, 58, from Crouch End, in hospital after the incident last year

Mr Burresi-Paone said his vertigo after the incident 'meant that I lost my dream job' and his company 'decided to get rid of him'

Now he is taking action against Transport for London (TfL) as he lost his job as a captain and instructor for Qatar Airways.

His solicitors also claim the sign had already been reported loose before the incident on August 21 last year.

Speaking to the Evening Standard, he said: 'I am extremely frustrated that nobody has admitted liability even though the sign fell on my head and nearly killed me through no fault of my own.

'If it had been my daughter who had been struck by the sign she would be dead. I am lucky to be alive.'

Robert Aylott from Osbornes Law, which is representing Mr Burresi-Paone, said: 'This incident has had a devastating impact on my client’s life.

'He is desperate for liability to be admitted so that he can move on.'

Pictured, the outside of Kentish Town train station. The pilot's solicitors claim the sign was already reported loose.

Mr Burresi-Paone said his vertigo after the incident 'meant that I lost my dream job' and his company 'decided to get rid of him'.

He said he has managed to have treatment for vertigo which means he is now safe to fly, but he hit out at TfL saying he lost 'everything' because of them.

Esther Sharples of London Underground said: 'We take the safety of our network extremely seriously and were very sorry to hear about this incident.

'Our insurers are continuing to provide significant support for the claimant. We wish him a full recovery.'

The Mail Online has contacted TfL and Engie for comment.