Personal Injury Solicitor Lewisham

A 13-year old escaped serious injury after falling 4 metres from a fairground ride in York after the attendant failed to check a safety bar was correctly closed.

The girl was riding the ‘Cliffhanger Miami Trip’ attraction when the accident occurred. Friends watched on in horror but were unable to help.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), prosecuting, told Selby Magistrates' Court that attendant Terry Reynolds, 28, of Dewsbury, failed to make sure the safety bar on the young girl's seat was locked in the closed position, despite being told the same bar had opened two rides earlier.

The HSE reported that ess than a minute after the ride started, the restraint bar opened and the girl slid underneath, just missing moving steelwork below and hitting the ground. She was taken to hospital but was discharged later suffering bruising and abrasions.

HSE discovered Mr Reynolds had been warned just two rides earlier there had been a similar problem in that seat.

HSE Inspector Julian Franklin said:

"Mr Reynolds' job was not difficult, but it was crucial, and had he been doing it properly, this would not have happened. His cavalier approach to safety could have cost the girl untold damage.

"He failed in his prime responsibility of locking the restraint bars securely on every single seat and then checking, with a shake, to be 100 per cent certain. This young girl was immensely lucky not to have been seriously injured.”

The girl has received £750 in personal injury compensation.

If you or someone you know would like to find out if they can claim injury compensation, call us today on 0800 612 7445 to arrange a free consultation with a specialist personal injury solicitor or click here to start your claim.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia.