A woman sustained serious head injuries after a fairground ride collapsed at a seaside amusement park at Skegness Pleasure Beach in Lincolnshire on the 30th August.

At the time of the accident 22 people were in the carriage of the Surf Rider swing which rotates 360 degrees around a central point but should always remains horizontal in relation to the ground. It is understood that whilst the ride was in operation the carriage snapped on its axle causing it to tilt and impact with the ground.

All passengers were trapped in a vertical position for more than an hour.

Four fire crews from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Services were involved in rescuing the stranded passengers. 7 people including children had to be hospitalised, the majority sustained whiplash and bruising.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is expected to visit the site and launch an inquiry.

East Yorkshire: grandmother loses her leg

A grandmother has lost a leg following an accident on a fairground ride in Bridlington, East Yorkshire.

On the 28th August, the 58 year old and her four year old granddaughter were on the Jungle River log flume, when the carriage came to a sudden stop due to a lack of water.

There were no safety belts or harnesses in the carriage and both the grandmother and the four year old were catapulted from the ride.

The grandmother was air lifted to hospital with serious injuries to her leg. Despite efforts made, her injuries were so severe she had to undergo an amputation.

The Health and Safety Executive and Humberside Police are investigating the accident.

Both accidents have occurred less than a week after a boy fell from a ride at Camelot Theme Park.

Samantha Hemsley, a solicitor at Thompsons Solicitors’ Serious Injuries Team said: “The frequency of such accidents particularly during the summer months is very worrying. Passenger safety should be paramount. Amusement centres such as the one involved in this incident should have established and thorough maintenance systems in place. Theme park rides should not be malfunctioning mid ride causing injuries to passengers.”