The Fun Park at GrandWest has reopened after an incident on Saturday 1 July when a malfunctioning swing left at least nine people injured.
According to GrandWest’s management, independent structural engineers have reassessed all the Fun Park rides and have cleared the event to reopen until Sunday 16 July.
“Five of the riders who were checked out by paramedics refused hospital attention.
“Four riders were sent to hospital for observation, but thankfully they were released the same night with no serious injuries to report,” Mervyn Naidoo, general manager of GrandWest, said.
“We have met with the Fun Park owners and with the external structural engineers. They have taken us through their report and have assured us that all the remaining rides are safe. We took the decision to allow the event to reopen on our premises, but we have withdrawn permission for the two outdoor rides, one being the swing (which malfunctioned),” said Naidoo.
Naidoo said GrandWest received queries regarding the park’s reopening. The event has been run for many years at several venues and is popular with families. “We apologise for the delay, but we had to be 100% certain that every ride that reopens will be safe to use.”
‘No life-threatening injuries’
The incident occurred in the afternoon at approximately 17:49 and the Fun Park closed immediately. On Sunday 2 July the engineer inspected the rides and concluded that the collapse of the swing was due to the central support structure shearing off.
“The defect of the central support structure wasn’t visible during the erection and inspection. We suspect the cause of the defect is metal fatigue over the years,” the engineer’s feedback report stated.
Cornick Britz from Eventful Parties was on the site at the time and said their on-site medic was standing outside by the rides when the incident occurred.
“She attended to the guests within a minute following the collapse of the swing. She immediately instructed all guests to remain in their positions to do a triage (where the severity of patients is assessed and responded to accordingly). Additional medics were called to assist from our service provider and the medical team from GrandWest was also called on the radio for a mass casualty.
“Upon assessment, there were nine riders, eight were identified as ‘green’ meaning they had no life-threatening injuries. One patient was deemed ‘red’ as she was approximately two months pregnant, her medical assessment was green, meaning she too had no life-threatening injuries, however, because she was trapped she became a priority one patient.
“Our staff members and those of GrandWest assisted in lifting the swing and freeing the riders. Once they were extricated she was put into a wheelchair,” Britz said.
Britz confirmed that he, the on-site medic, and the owner of the swing accompanied the injured to the hospital. Each had a file opened, was assessed and treated by a doctor who cleared each guest and discharged them from the emergency unit. The two minors were taken home by their guardians following discharge at approximately 22:00. The two adults and their children had been at the hospital the longest and were only discharged at midnight.
“We ensured that once cleared, they had received a meal and were booked a private taxi to drive them home at no cost. All the riders including those who declined to be taken to hospital were advised should they need any medical attention relating directly to the incident, that we will cover all costs related,” Britz said.
The Fun Park will now be housed entirely under cover in the Sun Exhibits area with 14 rides.
