World
1News

Deaths of two young girls using bouncy castles were not isolated incidents, BBC investigation finds

October 9, 2018

A BBC investigation has found that the death of two young girls using bouncy castles were not isolated incidents.

In the past eight years, 22 people across Britain have been seriously hurt on the inflatable devices.

Last month, seven-year-old Summer Grant was killed in Gorleston-on-Sea in Norfolk when she was thrown from one of the castle, prompting fears over their safety.

That incident took place just two weeks after three-year-old Ava-May Littleboy died in similar circumstances.

Two fairground workers were successfully prosecuted for manslaughter in her case, but in others, no one is held to account.

In another such case recently, Summer Wronieki broke her thigh bone and received a head injury after the inflatable device she was on lifted off in high winds.

It was later found that the device had been set up in conditions where the wind speed was above what was recommended the device be used in.

The UK's Health and Safety Executive couldn't tell the BBC how many spot checks they have carried out on inflatable toys.

It did, however, say it customarily turns up to fair grounds and the like unannounced to check on the practices.

The highest wind speed allowed by law is 24mp/h (38km/h), but in two of the aforementioned cases, it was found that the wind speed was gusting significantly higher.

An HSE spokesperson told the BBC: "We use a variety of methods to identify where risk exists that is so we can respond to concerns raised by members of the public or others and that the guidance in relation to the law itself is kept under continual review".

SHARE ME

More Stories