By DARREL MAGER
An Auckland primary school funfair ended in terror for a father and his young son when they were flung from an out-of-control Ferris wheel.
Occupational Safety and Health shut down the ride at St Mary's School in Northcote and launched an investigation after the accident at 10.30 am on
Saturday.
Deon Wessels, of Northcote, fell 3m from the wheel on to a steel fence and his 5-year-old son, Daniel, was dropped from 8m, near the top, landing on his back.
Mr Wessels had taken Daniel and his 7-year-old sister, Jacqui, to the fair on their first family outing in three months.
"It was all exciting at first," he said last night. "The kids had been looking forward to going to the fair for days, and this was the first ride of the day.
"Then it struck me that we were going far too fast. Ferris wheel rides are normally slow and sedate, and this was whipping us around, and the next thing the kids' stomachs were smashing into their mouths."
Mr Wessels yelled for help and the operator stopped the ride. He had just unlocked the steel bar securing the family into their seats when the Ferris wheel started moving again, by itself.
Mr Wessels had just enough time to throw his daughter to safety before being whipped into the air.
"I lost my balance and fell out on to a steel fence and that started rocking the cage, which caused Daniel to flip out.
"He fell to the ground and just lay there howling. I thought he'd broken his back."
Daniel suffered a badly sprained back, while Mr Wessels bruised his neck, arms and legs.
The operator's hand became trapped as he tried to help the family and he was dragged into the air, tearing the ligaments in his arm.
Wheel owner Bill Mahon last night expressed his regret.
"We don't like to hurt people. They come along to smile and be happy and have fun ... They certainly don't expect to be injured. The operator has taken the accident to heart. He's pretty shaken up."
OSH inspector Dave Coon said it appeared an electrical or hydraulic failure caused the 15-year-old Ferris wheel to malfunction. It had a valid operating certificate.
