A fairground operator has been fined after a man \u2018everyone fell in love with\u2019 died weeks after suffering serious head injuries while working on a ride in South Shields.<\/p>\n
Dean Cariss was struck by a moving car on a rollercoaster ride while daily testing and maintenance was being carried out at Ocean Beach Pleasure Park on 19 March 2023.<\/p>\n
The 52-year-old sustained severe head injuries and as a result died in hospital 13 days later.<\/p>\n
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that Premier Attractions Limited had failed to ensure the health and safety of employees. The company pleaded guilty and was fined \u00a328,000 at South Tyneside Magistrates Court on 17 December 2024.<\/p>\n
Dean Cariss was struck by a moving car on a rollercoaster ride at Ocean Beach Pleasure Park<\/p>\n
Mr Cariss, who had been with his partner Helen Wright for more than 15 years, was also a step father to Helen\u2019s three grown-up children, as well as being a step grandparent to nine.<\/p>\n
In a written statement provided to the court, Helen said: \u201cDean had a fantastic relationship with my kids.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe also idolised his grandchildren, and treated them like his own.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was bubbly and fun and would do daft things with them.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was very generous and liked to help people.\u201d<\/p>\n
That helpful and generous nature also included him acting as Helen\u2019s carer for several years.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy whole life has been turned upside down and back to front,\u201d she went on to say.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe would move heaven and earth for me.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was a big personality and I miss the fun and laughter.<\/p>\n
\u201cSilence is deafening when I am in the house on my own.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverybody fell in love with him when they met him. There was no serious side, just laughter and fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
The investigation by HSE found that Premier Attractions Limited had failed to ensure the health and safety of employees.\u00a0 It was found that a suitable and sufficient risk assessment had not been carried out and proper controls had not been employed to prevent employees accessing dangerous areas whilst the ride was operating.<\/p>\n
Premier Attractions Limited of Little Hulton, Manchester, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with section 2(1) of The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 \u2013 an offence contrary to s.33(1)(a) of that Act.\u00a0They were fined \u00a328,000 and ordered to pay \u00a35,976 costs.<\/p>\n
HSE Inspector William Gilroy said: \u201cThis tragic incident led to the avoidable death of a caring, family man.<\/p>\n
\u201cDean\u2019s death could easily have been prevented if his employer had acted to identify and manage the risks involved, and to put a safe system of work in place.<\/p>\n
\u201cCompanies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those who fall below the required standards.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Further information:<\/strong><\/p>\n The Health and Safety Executive<\/a>\u00a0(HSE) is Britain\u2019s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives. A fairground operator has been fined after a man \u2018everyone fell in love with\u2019 died weeks after suffering serious head injuries while working on a ride in South Shields. Dean Cariss was struck by a moving car on a rollercoaster ride while daily testing and maintenance was being carried out at Ocean Beach Pleasure Park…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.safetyphoto.co.uk\/safety_news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1946"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.safetyphoto.co.uk\/safety_news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.safetyphoto.co.uk\/safety_news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.safetyphoto.co.uk\/safety_news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1946"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.safetyphoto.co.uk\/safety_news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1946\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.safetyphoto.co.uk\/safety_news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1946"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.safetyphoto.co.uk\/safety_news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1946"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.safetyphoto.co.uk\/safety_news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1946"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nMore information about the\u00a0legislation<\/a>\u00a0referred to in this case is available.
\nFurther details on the latest\u00a0HSE news releases<\/a>\u00a0is available.
\nHSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so.\u00a0 The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences in England and Wales can be found\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0and for those in Scotland\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"