A mother has spoken of the “horrible” moment a fairground ride malfunctioned in south-east London leaving her 11-year-old daughter and father injured.
Among them was Silvana-Rose Douglas, 11, who was enjoying a day out with her grandfather when the tragedy struck.
The two other people injured - a man and woman in their 40s - remained in hospital on Tuesday, 10 days on from the incident.
Silvana-Rose, from Bromley, suffered injuries to her legs, pelvis and lower back and remained on crutches, while her 57-year-old suffered a concussion and a broken nose.
Her mother, Loredana Musumeci, told the Standard how Silvana-Rose’s grandfather had “surprised her” by calling her on the morning of June 8 and asking if she’d like to go to the fair.
After “having fun” on several rides, Silvana-Rose and her grandfather decided to queue for the “Froggit” ride.
Waiting behind a barrier they watched as the customers ahead of them boarded and the ride began, malfunctioning almost immediately.
“As the ride started it detached off the hinges or something,” said Mr Musumeci.
“Someone fell off the ride and someone started screaming.
“A woman was stuck hanging off the ride and bashing her head from side to side, and she was dripping in blood.”
A man who is understand to have been with the woman, was reportedly thrown from the ride. Both were left badly injured.
“The man went falling straight down into the ride,” said Ms Musumeci. “It's just horrible.”
Silvana-Rose’s grandfather picked her up and tried to lift her to safety, to avoid being struck by the woman dangling from the ride.
But the ride reportedly hit a speaker which collided with Silvana-Rose, throwing her to the floor.
“The speaker hit my dad in the nose,” said Ms Musumeci. “He was unconscious on the floor. My daughter was screaming. She didn't know what had happened.”
They were rushed to hospital, along with the man and woman in their 40s who had been on the ride.
“The woman was next to my dad [in hospital] and she was screaming in pain,” said Ms Musumeci.
Ten days on from the horrific incident, Silvana-Rose remains “traumatised” by what happened.
“She doesn't sleep, she has flashbacks,” said her mother. “It's a lot for a little girl to deal with.“She is in a bad way. She's got pains in her back, feet, spine, neck, she's on crutches, can't even go back to school.”
Silvana-Rose’s grandfather is also still recovering.
The Metropolitan Police, Lambeth Council, and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are now investigating the “shocking” incident.
Ms Musumeci has demanded answers regarding safety and staffing of the ride.
“What was the malfunction? Why wasn't it checked before? The ride was shut down that evening but the fun fair was still going,” she said.
“I just want these people to pay,” she added. “Not money-wise. I want justice. People are seriously injured and they're not caring.”
Police, ambulance crews and an air ambulance were scrambled to the scene around 6.20pm on Saturday, June 8.
“A woman in her 40s and a man in his 40s both remain in hospital, neither is believed to be in a life-threatening condition,” said a Met police spokesperson on Tuesday.
“Officers have attended the scene on Sunday alongside the Health and Safety Executive as enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances.”
A Lambeth Council spokesperson responded: “We are deeply saddened by the fairground incident at the Lambeth Country Show, it is really shocking, and our thoughts are with those who were injured and their families. “We take health and safety incredibly seriously, and all relevant safety certification was provided in advance of the event.
“An investigation into the incident, led by the Met Police and Health and Safety Executive, is underway. We are committed to fully playing our role in that investigation, and ensuring families get the answers they deserve.”
