Almost 500 people injured on funfair and theme park rides in UK in past YEAR
Figures emerged after 19 had to be rescued from London fairground ride
ALMOST 500 visitors reported injuries at amusements parks and funfairs in the UK over 12 months, figures have revealed.
Fears have grown after a string of recent ride incidents including two major rollercoaster crashes.
In 2014/2015, 489 members of the public reported injuries at funfairs and amusement parks.
It was a rise of 100 reports on 2013/2014 and ten more than in 2012/2013.
Northern Ireland MP Jim Shannon, who asked for the figures, said: “There have been some horrific accidents.
"The figures show it's not just an occasional thing, it seems to be a more common occurrence.
“When you ride you expect to get off and buy an ice cream, you don’t expect to be referred to hospital.”
He believes the public would be shocked at the scale of injuries and the Government should consider if its regulation of funfairs and amusement parks is strong enough.
Leah Washington, 18, of Barnsley, and Vicky Balch, 20, from Leyland, Lancs, had leg amputations after the Smiler rollercoaster crashed at Alton Towers, Staffs, in June last year.
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Nine people were injured when the Tsunami rollercoaster crashed last month at M&D’s in Lanarkshire.
In the latest funfair scare, tourists dangled 65ft up for three hours after the Starflyer ride at London’s South Bank got stuck on Sunday.
Minister Penny Mordaunt told Mr Shannon that the Health and Safety Executive’s specialist inspection team is targeting fairgrounds with known problems.