The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Fife parents call for tighter regulations on inflatables
Family of girl injured by bouncy slide in Cupar concerned after spate of similar incidents – and deaths – recorded at leisure events across Britain
The parents of a little girl who was seriously injured when she was blown away on a giant inflatable in Fife three years ago have stepped up their calls for tighter safety regulations across Britain.
Summer Wroniecki, who was just six at the time, was hurled into the air when the bouncy slide she was playing on was caught by a gust of wind at Cupar Children’s Gala in June 2015.
Her parents Chris and Karen Wroniecki have now called for tighter safety rules after a spate of similar incidents – including the tragic death of seven-year-old Summer Grant at an Easter fair in Harlow, Essex, in March 2016, when the bouncy castle she was on blew away. That incident led to the jailing of two fairground workers. There was further tragedy last month when three-year-old Ava-May Littleboy died at Gorleston Beach in Norfolk when the bouncy castle she was on “exploded” in hot weather, throwing her 30ft into the air.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive into the Cupar incident concluded there was not enough evidence to lead to a prosecution.
However, the Wronieckis remain unhappy with the outcome of the Cupar investigation and concerned about the risk of further tragedies.
“When we heard what had happened to the little girl in Essex – also ironically called Summer – it made us realise how lucky our Summer was,” said Chris, 45.
“But it also made us think how can it be that on the one hand an almost identical incident – albeit with a death – can lead to two fairground workers being jailed in England, yet here, where the circumstances were almost identical, no action was taken whatsoever?
“What I would like to see is a legallyrequired piece of equipment attached to these inflatables that is calibrated to measure wind speed, so if anything goes wrong, evidence is there.”
The couple also believe organisers of such events need to shoulder more responsibility to ensure conditions remain safe.
Summer, who had just battled back to health from a rare form of cancer, suffered a broken femur and other injuries when she was hurled in the air and thrown into another ride at the gala day.
She had to undergo surgery after a metal plate inserted in her hip during her cancer fight was dislodged.
Three other children and an adult were also hurt in the incident, which left horrified onlookers in shock.
An HSE spokesperson said the body was working with inflatable devices operators and inspection bodies, adding: “The HSE will continue to work with the relevant stakeholders to improve health and safety standards across the fairground and entertainment industry, including inflatable devices, to ensure that risk is managed in a proportionate and effective manner.”
What I would like to see is a legally-required piece of equipment attached to these inflatables. CHRIS WRONIECKI