Footage of the moment a mother-of-eight was catapulted from a fairground ride in west London has been released after three men were sentenced in connection with the incident.
Khadra Ali spent four months in hospital after she was ejected from the Xcelerator ride at the Funderpark funfair in Yiewsley, Hillingdon, on 10 April 2018.
She suffered multiple fractures to her back, hips, pelvis, ribs, both collarbones as well as internal bleeding and a significant head injury.
Perrin Stevens, Derek Hackett and David Geary admitted breaching health and safety regulations and were handed suspended prison sentences.
DMG Technical Ltd, which also admitted an offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act, was fined £51,000.
A spokesperson for Mrs Ali said her family were “deeply relieved” that the criminal prosecution has concluded.
“While no outcome can undo the impact of the life-changing injuries on Khadra’s health and wellbeing, they hope this marks the beginning of their journey to rebuild their lives and provide her with the support she needs moving forward,” the spokesperson said.
‘Screamed for help’
Mrs Ali, who was 45 at the time, was not suitably restrained in her seat during the incident.
As the ride picked up speed, she screamed for help and clung on for some time before being ejected, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said.
She hit the barrier of the next ride and landed on the ground.
The now 51-year-old spent the next few weeks in a coma and four months in hospital.
‘Pain and significant impact’
The HSE released footage of the incident after Stevens, Hackett, Geary and DMG Technical Ltd were sentenced at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 7 May.
HSE inspector Helen Donnelly said: “Mrs Ali was simply enjoying a day out with her children in what she expected to be a safe environment.
“As a result she continues to suffer pain and significant impact to her everyday life.
“There are serious consequences when we do not fulfil our health and safety duties and become reliant on the actions of others to ensure the safety of workers and the public.
“While this investigation has been long and complex, we hope Mrs Ali and her family will find some comfort with the sentence and see that justice has now been served.”
At the court hearing:
- Stevens, of Oakley Green Road, Windsor, Berkshire, was handed a custodial sentence of 32 weeks, suspended for 18 months, ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £11,444 in costs
- Hackett, of School Street, Radcliffe, Manchester, was given a custodial sentence of 18 weeks, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to pay £4,800 in costs
- Geary, of Wenlock Road, Hackney, was handed a custodial sentence of 44 weeks, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to pay £24,000 in costs
- DMG Technical Ltd, of Wenlock Road, Hackney, was fined £51,000 and ordered to pay £30,000 in costs
[BBC – original article]
[Photo – BBC]
