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Dec 2020

Last Updated: 07/12/2020

Crime

Lightwater Valley fined £330,000 after boy thrown off Twister ride

by John Plummer

| 07 Dec, 2020

A child suffered 'life-changing' head injuries following the incident at the Ripon theme park. The Health and Safety Executive says it was an 'entirely avoidable incident'.

Lightwater Valley Twister ride

The company that owns Ripon theme park Lightwater Valley has been fined £330,000 after a child was thrown off its Twister ride and suffered "life-changing" head injuries.

Lightwater Valley Attractions Ltd received the fine at York Magistrates Court for the incident on May 30 last year.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive, which regulates workplace health and safety, found that although the theme park’s Twister procedures said those between 1.2 metres and 1.5 metres tall must wear seat belts, several children under 1.5 metres were not wearing seat belts on this ride. CCTV footage and statements by members of the public backed up this claim.

Many belts were found not to be functioning correctly. On several occasions, the final position of the lap bar restraint allowed significant gaps to remain in the containment and did not fully contain smaller passengers.

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Lightwater Valley Attractions Ltd, which is registered in Sherborne, Dorset pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £333,344 and ordered to pay costs of £16,183.

Speaking after Friday's hearing,, HSE inspector Andrea Jones said:

“A child suffered life-changing head injuries at Lightwater Valley theme park.

“Our investigation found that the theme park did not implement suitable operating procedures and monitoring of ride operators in relation to the ride restraints.

“This was an entirely avoidable incident. Several children were put at risk and Lightwater Valley has now been held to account for their failings.”

The child’s mother spoke of how "the little boy I took to Lightwater Valley that day is not the same boy that woke up after the surgery. I still grieve for my little boy".

'Considering the fine'

Lightwater Valley said in a statement:

"We have from the outset accepted full responsibility for this accident and our sincere and heartfelt apologies go out to the young boy, his family and his friends.

"We have co-operated fully throughout the HSE’s investigation and are carefully considering the fine imposed by the court.

"Since the incident we have been providing support and assistance to the family and will continue to do so.

"The health and safety of visitors to our park remains our top priority and we are determined that an incident such as this will never happen again. We have undertaken a full review of our health and safety systems and procedures following the accident."

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Lightwater Valley fined £330,000 after boy thrown off Twister ride

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'Considering the fine'