A schoolgirl has received accident compensation after suffering a fall from a fairground ride at York Festival.
The 13-year-old had attended the fairground with a group of friends and decided to take a turn on the 'Cliffhanger Miami Trip' ride. However, the machine's operator failed to ensure that the safety bar on her seat was locked in place, despite the fact that he knew the same bar had opened two rides earlier.
Less than a minute after the ride started, the restraint bar on the ride opened and the girl slid underneath. She narrowly missed the steelwork underneath but fell and hit the ground. She was taken to hospital before being discharged with bruisings and abrasions.
Charges were brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the ride operator pleaded guilty to a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act. He was given a three-year condition discharge and ordered to pay the girl £750 in accident compensation.
Julian Franklands, HSE inspector, told Selby Magistrates' Court: “This group of youngsters got on the ride again and another member of the group sat in the same seat. When the attendant … came to check the seats she (one of the previous riders) mentioned it to him because she was concerned. [The attendant] took no action about this.”