09/07/2014

Companies Fined Over Zip Line Paralysis

Two companies have admitted three health and safety violations in a zip wire accident that left an instructor paralysed from the waist down.

Bodyflight, operator of the zip wire ride in Milton Earnest in Bedfordshire, and Flowhouse (Bedford) Ltd – who employed the instructor, Mr Brett Anthony – were fined £200,000 each in relation to the accident.

Mr Anthony was left paralysed from the waist down after the zip wire's braking system was not reset and he hit cables and a frame at the foot of the ride, travelling at 35mph.

Mr Anthony suffered his accident in September 2011 and followed a similar incident in January that same year, when the braking system was again not reset and the ride was used by a girl who had to be caught at the bottom.

(MH/CD)

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