Funfair owner speaks out after woman injured in ‘freak accident'
Charles Cole said he sympathises with the 18-year-old and her parents after her hair got trapped on the Fun House ride last night.
She suffered potentially life-changing injuries and is in hospital.
The incident at Netley Marsh Steam and Craft Show prompted a large emergency response, and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is now involved.
Speaking the morning after, Mr Cole said the popular walk-on ride had been subject to its daily checks and paperwork.
'Approximately 50 people had been on the ride before the 18-year-old, and there were no issues', he said.
READ MORE: Woman suffers potentially life-changing injuries on funfair ride at steam show
He added: 'The ride is 20 years old but it had been tested that day. This was a freak accident.
'Somehow, the girl's hair got caught and she could not grab on to the handrails.
'Nobody wants to hurt anyone, and we are a family business. Last night was very upsetting, especially for the man who owns the ride.
'Safety is our priority, and we sympathise with the girl and her parents.
'It is under investigation and the ride is closed.'
Mr Cole emphasised that he and HSE are 'going to get to the bottom' of what happened and determine what caused it.
The ride is now closed for the duration of the event, as HSE team members are set to return to the site and carry out an inspection of the site on Monday.
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