June 27, 2023

Early results of an internal investigation today revealed that an incident involving a ride on Clacton Pier was down to individual human error.

Two people were injured and taken to Colchester Hospital by Essex Ambulance Service yesterday afternoon.

A long-standing male member of pier staff is on a ward under observation following a cut to the head and fractured ribs.

It is not known if a woman visitor who was in the car at the front of the Looping Star ride, and suffered a bump to the head and shock, has been detained in hospital at this stage.

Pier bosses are making enquiries so that they can carry out a welfare check on the woman who was on holiday with family.

A Health and Safety (HSE) Inspector arrived on site this morning and has carried out an inspection and spoken to staff at the attraction.

Pier Director Billy Ball said that he can confirm that the incident at 12.20pm yesterday was not caused by any fault or malfunction in the Looping Star or by the ride operator.

“Our initial thoughts have been backed up by our own internal investigation so far which puts it down to individual human error,” he stated.

“The member of staff, who was not part of the rides team and was injured, was going about his duties with good intent, but in a restricted area where he should not have been.

“He had gone into the ride to clear away some rubbish, something he should not have done as the ride was due to go into service. He did not hear the car going round and was clipped by the bumper.

“He also made contact with the woman in the front of the ride on the way past and she was hit on the head and in shock.”

The Looping Star was emergency stopped by the ride operator once he became aware of the incident.

Mr Ball added that all opening and operating checks had been carried out correctly and satisfactorily yesterday morning.

He said that the HSE was made aware of the incident by Essex Police who were on scene within minutes and took accounts of what happened.

“It is part of the Police’s normal protocol and we will also be submitting a report to the HSE in due course,” he added.

“The HSE is treating this as an inspection and not a full investigation at this stage and have handed the ride back to the pier. Once the safety and integrity of the ride has been established by the pier technical team post impact it will be tested and we expect to reopen it later today.”

Mr Ball said that he had visited the injured member of staff in hospital last night and would be going back to see him today.

“All things considered he is in relatively good spirits,” he added. “We will be speaking to all staff to reiterate the importance of following approved procedures at the pier and will put on any extra training we feel necessary.”

Ends