A student was rushed to the hospital after an incident at a university festival when a ride broke. The incident occurred at the ‘Chestival’, organized by the University of Chester’s Students’ Union. A part of the ‘Superstar’ ride came loose, hitting two fast-moving cars before crashing to the ground. A video shows the panel falling narrowly missing people, with glass flying everywhere. Caitlin Colclough, a student on the ride, had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance. Her mother, Mandy Hancock, expressed her distress after witnessing the accident. She described it as very scary and mentioned having nightmares after seeing a slow-motion video of the incident. Caitlin underwent a CT scan, which came back clear, but she is experiencing symptoms like blurred vision, headaches, and dizziness.
Mandy Hancock, Caitlin’s mother, criticized the response from the University and Students’ Union as “radio silence” following the incident. She expressed disappointment in the limited support provided and mentioned that a note under Caitlin’s door would have been appreciated. Jamie Morris, the CEO of Chester Students’ Union, stated that the incident was reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), and the ride was shut down immediately. Two students were taken to the hospital as a precaution but were discharged on the same day. The Students’ Union and the University’s Wellbeing team have been in contact with the students to offer support. North West Ambulance Service confirmed two ambulances attended the University after being called at 3:10 pm, reassuring that there were no serious injuries and one person was taken to the hospital.
The incident involving the fairground ride sparked concerns over safety protocols and the event’s management. Mandy Hancock highlighted the lack of communication and support provided post-accident, urging for better handling of such situations in the future. She acknowledged the positive experience her daughter had at the University but emphasized the importance of improving responses to emergencies. The Students’ Union reported the incident to the HSE and emphasized their commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of students during events. The closure of the ride and the actions taken to support the affected students demonstrate a response to the incident and a commitment to addressing safety concerns promptly.
Despite the frightening incident, the ‘Chestival’ event continued after the ride was shut down. The festival aims to provide a fun and engaging experience for students, offering various attractions and activities. The presence of emergency services and the hospitalization of a student underscore the importance of prioritizing safety at such events. The University of Chester’s Students’ Union and external operators of attractions need to review safety protocols and maintenance procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The well-being of students and visitors should always be a top priority, ensuring that they can enjoy events safely and without risks to their health and safety. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with fairground rides and the importance of stringent safety measures to prevent accidents.
