By Tony O’Riley-
A legal team acting on behalf of people who received physical and psychological injuries after a ride at a Carrickfergus theme park last month have launched legal proceedings against the operator.
The legal action was taken after six people were rushed to hospital , following a ride at Planet Fun malfunctioned in July. 12 people were injured in total, four of them children. Emergency crews were rushed to the scene.
Six people – including four children – were taken to hospital but none were said to be in a life-threatening condition.
Eight children at the time suffered superficial injuries that did not require hospital treatment, according to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.
The incident took place at Carrickfergus Harbour on the north shore of Belfast Lough at around 6pm that evening and four emergency crews, a rapid response vehicle, and an ambulance attended the scene.
The attraction swung beyond its perimeter and struck a number of signs belonging to the structure. A number of other children suffered injuries to their legs, but did not require hospital treatment.
The theme park is a popular destination for children all over the Uk, but mainly in Irealnd.
A NIFRS spokesperson said that around 200 people were in attendance at the theme park when the ride collapsed at around 5.58pm.
Three fire engines, a specialist rescue team, the air ambulance and the Red Cross attended the scene.
Two children were taken to hospital by ambulance, two were taken by their parents and eight others were treated at the scene for superficial injuries, the spokesperson said.
In a statement on Tuesday, Phoenix Law said their clients intend to claim damages as a result of the malfunctioning of the Star Flyer ride on July 24 , and what they allege was negligence in the maintenance and upkeep of machinery.
However, bosses of Planet Fun insists that their machinery was not defective, and the accident was caused by nuisance teens.
Legal representatives at the reputable Phoenix Law firm will have to show that the the accident was not caused by the interference of nuisance teens, but was brought about by defective machinery which organizers had a duty to keep in place.
Misbehaving Teens Blamed
Misbehaving teens have been blamed for causing the ride to malfunction, as opposed to the accident being caused due to a mechanical defect . The claimants dispute the version of events which led to the accident, and lawyers from Phoneix Law have written to the Health and Safety Executive requesting an immediate investigation to determine the cause of the incident.
Glen Armstrong from Phoenix Law said: “This was a truly traumatic experience for our clients, the other users of the ride, and anyone who was standing nearby to witness what happened. Unsurprisingly, our clients have suffered serious physical and psychological injuries as a result.”
A spokesperson for Planet Fun, which has a council licence to operate the fun fair at Carrickfergus said at the time: “Shortly after 18:00 this evening, the emergency procedures on our Star Flyer ride were enacted following an incident. At no stage did the ride collapse.
“We have also reported the incident to the HSE and will co-operate fully with the agency to understand exactly what happened.”
Health and safety is central to all operations at Planet Fun and will offer whatever assistance is required to those customers affected.”
Planet Fun say they will make no further comment until the HSE have completed its investigation.