E114:06 8 December 2006
Lightwater Valley Attractions Ltd was today fined £35,000 plus costs of £40,000 for breaching health and safety legislation in a hearing at Leeds Crown Court before Mr Justice Simon.
Maintenance electrician Mr Eric Butters was fined £2,500 plus costs of £500. The French manufacturer, Societe Reverchon Industries, France, was found guilty after a four-day trial. The company, which is in liquidation, was fined a total of £120,000 plus £55,000 costs.
The cases were brought after a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation into an incident on 20 June 2001 at Lightwater Valley theme park, North Yorkshire. 20 year old student Gemma Savage died and three other riders were injured after two cars collided on the 'Treetop Twister' roller coaster.
After today's hearing, HSE's investigating Inspector Paul Robinson said:
"Gemma Savage tragically died after what should have been a fun day out for her.
"The guilty pleas and verdicts and the Judge's comments and fines imposed today on the ride supplier, operator and worker reflect the high safety standards expected by the law, public and HSE from all those involved in supplying and operating fairground and theme park rides.
"The amusement industry safety record is good but constant care is required from all those involved to ensure that high safety standards are achieved and members of the public are only exposed to the illusion of danger"
The 'Treetop Twister' ride at Lightwater Valley is a roller coaster where cars are pulled up to a height and then run back down on an undulating and twisting track under gravity. When a car failed to clear a 'hill', it was held near the top and the ride automatically stopped the following cars. Eric Butters used the maintenance hand controls to return cars to the station but his actions, combined with the effect of a ride wiring fault, resulted in the two cars colliding.
Lightwater Valley Attractions Ltd was charged with breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA). Mr Butters was charged under Section 7(a) of the HSWA, and charges against the ride's French manufacturer, Societe Reverchon Industries, France, were under Sections 6 (1A)(a) & 6(1A)(c) of the HSWA.
Lightwater Valley Attractions Ltd and Mr Eric Butters pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.
All enquiries from journalists should be directed to the HSE Press Office
