Early
results of an internal investigation today revealed that an incident involving
a ride on Clacton Pier was down to individual human error.
Two
people were injured and taken to Colchester Hospital by Essex Ambulance Service
yesterday afternoon.
A
long-standing male member of pier staff is on a ward under observation
following a cut to the head and fractured ribs.
It
is not known if a woman visitor who was in the car at the front of the Looping
Star ride, and suffered a bump to the head and shock, has been detained in
hospital at this stage.
Pier
bosses are making enquiries so that they can carry out a welfare check on the
woman who was on holiday with family.
A
Health and Safety (HSE) Inspector arrived on site this morning and has carried
out an inspection and spoken to staff at the attraction.
Pier
Director Billy Ball said that he can confirm that the incident at 12.20pm
yesterday was not caused by any fault or malfunction in the Looping Star or by
the ride operator.
“Our
initial thoughts have been backed up by our own internal investigation so far
which puts it down to individual human error,” he stated.
“The
member of staff, who was not part of the rides team and was injured, was going
about his duties with good intent, but in a restricted area where he should not
have been.
“He
had gone into the ride to clear away some rubbish, something he should not have
done as the ride was due to go into service. He did not hear the car going
round and was clipped by the bumper.
“He
also made contact with the woman in the front of the ride on the way past and
she was hit on the head and in shock.”
The
Looping Star was emergency stopped by the ride operator once he became aware of
the incident.
Mr
Ball added that all opening and operating checks had been carried out correctly
and satisfactorily yesterday morning.
He said that the HSE was made aware of the incident by Essex Police who
were on scene within minutes and took accounts of what happened.
“It is part of the Police’s normal protocol and we will also be
submitting a report to the HSE in due course,” he added.
“The HSE is treating this as an inspection and not a full investigation
at this stage and have handed the ride back to the pier. Once the safety and
integrity of the ride has been established by the pier technical team post
impact it will be tested and we expect to reopen it later today.”
Mr Ball said that he had visited the injured member of staff in hospital
last night and would be going back to see him today.
“All things considered he is in relatively good spirits,” he added. “We
will be speaking to all staff to reiterate the importance of following approved
procedures at the pier and will put on any extra training we feel necessary.”
Ends
