Skegness Magazine

INGOLDMELLS AMUSEMENT PARK TRAGEDY

A TRAGIC accident that resulted in the death of a Nottinghamshire boy, who had been a regular holidaymaker at Ingoldmells, has left his family devastated.
Twelve-year-old David Oakley, from Bilborough, Nottingham, was killed when he was hit in the chest by a manual swing last Thursday.
The swing, known as the Swinging Gym, was one of the attractions at Grays Amusement Park, Anchor Lane, Ingoldmells, where he was staying with his family.
David was taken to Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, suffering from multiple injuries, after the incident, which occurred just before 6pm, and was pronounced dead at 8pm.
Not to talk
Grays Amusement Park proprietor, Mr Norman Gray, said he had been instructed by his solicitor not to talk about the incident. But he said he had known the family, who had been regular visitors to the area, for many years.
He said: “Everybody’s terribly upset. The family have been coming down here for years, and we’ve been friends with them for a long time. They’re such a lovely family, and such a happy family. The mother and father come down here and they’re always so bubbly. Will we ever see them like that again?”
Mr Gray, who did not see the incident himself, said it was simply a tragic accident. He said: “We are all so hurt. The family rang me up and said they hold no blame at all, and would I help to carry the coffin.”
He said people had been laying flowers at the amusement park, and he would be taking a picture of the tributes to send to David’s mother.
He added: “I’ve cried and cried and I’ve been so upset. If it would bring back that little boy I would give my own life.”
The swing was taken out of use immediately after the accident and an investigation was undertaken by an East Lindsey District Council health and safety officer.
Director of environmental services Jack Whyman issued the following statement:

“This is a tragic incident and our sympathy is with David’s family and friends. Our health and safety officer’s initial investigation into the incident has been concluded and resulted in a prohibition notice being served under the Health and Safety Act of 1974. The notice ensures that the ride is taken out of operation on the grounds of safety concerns until the final investigation has reached its conclusion.
“Operators of leisure attractions, such as Grays Amusements, are not required to inform the local authorities of their rides, such as the Swinging Gym, which had been in place since Easter 2000.
“As part of the work conducted by East Lindsey District Council’s health and safety team, continual emphasis is given to operators of commercial premises regarding their duty of care, under the Health and Safety at Work Act, to ensure that the appropriate measures are taken to prevent accidents of this nature occurring.”
The final investigation should be concluded by the end of next week, June 9, before which time it would be inappropriate to enter any further detail regarding the events that happened surrounding the death of David Oakley.”
The inquest on David was opened last Friday morning by Coningsby deputy coroner Mr Howard Wells, and adjourned to a later date.
The consultant pathologist at Pilgrim Hospital, Dr David Durran, gave the cause of death as chest injuries.
The body was identified by David’s father Mr Steven Oakley.
Toy windmills were some of the many tributes to David Oakley laid at Grays Amusements.

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