The family of a boy who fell off a ride at Lightwater Valley, near Ripon, has welcomed the court’s judgement but said it was hard to learn of the theme park’s failings.
York Magistrates Court fined Lightwater Valley Attractions £330,000 on Friday for the incident on May 30 last year.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found several children under 1.5 metres were not wearing seat belts on the Twister ride.
CCTV footage and statements by members of the public backed up this claim.
The HSE also found that belts were not functioning properly and, on several occasions, the final position of the lap bar allowed significant gaps.
Lightwater Valley’s Twister ride
The family of the child, who has anonymity for legal reasons, said:
“The guilty plea on all charges by Lightwater Valley marks the closure of what has been a very difficult chapter for me, my son and family.
“It has been hard to learn of the various failings by Lightwater Valley, which include inadequate management, supervision, maintenance, systems of work and risk assessments.
“No one should have to go through what my son and I experienced on that day.
“I hope that lessons have been learned by Lightwater Valley and the industry in general to ensure that something like this never happens again.
“Whilst a fine has been imposed, this will not alter the life changing injuries sustained by my son and the difficulties he continues to endure.
“The public apology by Lightwater Valley is welcomed and I would like to thank them for the way they have assisted with my son’s recovery and continuing rehabilitation.
“I would also like to thank the HSE for the way they have carried out their investigation and the level of support they have provided.
“I have no further statement to make. My family and I would really appreciate privacy so that we can come to terms with what has happened and focus on my son’s recovery and rehabilitation.”
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Lightwater Valley declined to comment on the family’s statement. A spokesperson said after Friday’s court hearing:
Lightwater Valley fined £330,000 after boy thrown off Twister ride“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.”
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.”