Pleasure park log flume still shut after family’s ‘cart came off rails’
BARRY Island’s log flume remains closed while health and safety bosses investigate claims that a family’s cart “came off the rails”.
A couple and their 11-year-old son say they are lucky to be alive after their cart overturned and left them “trapped under the water”.
The family was able to break free. The mum – who did not want to be named – said: “Our cart at Barry Island log flume just came off the rails, throwing us under the water before landing on top of us all, holding us under the water.
“Luckily we managed to get it up high enough off us for me to get out and drag my son out of the water.”
She added: “We are so lucky and don’t want this to happen to anybody else or worse.”
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said the ride must remain closed while “the necessary remedial actions” take place.
The fairground’s owner has defended the safety of the ride and has accused the family of breaching safety instructions.
Henry Danter said: “Unless you respect it, it’s like a canoe on water – if you move around like you rock the boat, you are going to take in water.
“They rocked the boat, their hands in the air, and all the instructions tell them to hold on tight – and they were told to hold on tight.
“They did have that information – they chose not to listen to it. I’m very pleased nobody got hurt, they got wet.
“It’s the number-one ride on the park, but it has got its issues because it’s a gravity ride and if you don’t respect the rules you are going to get hurt or wet. As long as you hold on tight, you’re not going to get hurt.”
A HSE spokesman said: “The log flume has not been operational since the incident and has undergone inspection and examination by an independent fairground ride examiner.”
Barry Island Pleasure Park opened in 1929.