The 3rd UK funfair accident in just one week. A full scale emergency response took place in Skegness on 30 August 2011, with convoys of emergency vehicles and two air ambulance helicopters. There were 22 people onboard a SurfRider funfair ride at the time of the accident. There are a number of “back and neck” injuries, caused when a passenger gondola struck the base frame of the ride. While most of the group escaped unharmed, a woman was rushed to Pilgrim Hospital, in Boston, Lincs, last night suffering life threatening head injuries. A further six people were taken to hospital. Fire crews were forced to use ropes to rescue the group, including adults and children. The pleasure beach was closed ahead of investigations to establish the cause of the incident.
There have been suggestions that the ride has undergone recent maintenance work. One witness said that on the morning some gearbox work had been carried out on the ride.
Jimmy Botton, the amusement park owner, reportedly said that the area was closed while investigations were carried out on Tuesday night. “It looks like the teeth on one of the main cogs disintegrated, what should be horizontal is now 90 degrees,” he said. “My job is to make people happy, I take this very seriously.”
The Surf Rider is one of the main rides at the amusement park and is visible across the seafront when in operation. It features a large ‘beam’, which rotates around a central point. During the operation of the ride these gondolas always remain horizontal in relation to the ground. One of the gondolas tilted while the ride was operating and struck the ride base.
31.8.2011 - All seven of those taken to hospital are now reported to have been discharged. Mr Botton the operator of the funfair site has said that after the ride is made structurally safe it will be removed, never to return.
1.9.2011 - (Above photograph from Skegness Standard) The Surf Rider ride was taken down, seen underneath the blue tarpaulin, ahead of the amusement park being re-opened following a Health & Safety Executive on-site investigation.
BBC news video article here
Skegness Standard article here
