7-year wait for victims of ride
The Adelaide Advertiser, SAM RICHES
July 19, 2007
ONLY a third of the 42 victims of the Spin Dragon amusement ride collapse have settled compensation claims, almost seven years after the accident at the Royal Show.
Lawyer Peter Humphries, representing many of the victims, told The Advertiser yesterday that "about one third had effectively settled" in a class action lawsuit.
In September, 2000, 37 people were injured when the Spin Dragon ride collapsed.
The District Court heard the ride had not been serviced in the five years leading to the collapse, which occurred when 44 of 48 bolts holding a 4.3-tonne gondola snapped.
The ride's operator, Wittingslow Entertainment Services, had replaced pinions but the court heard the replacements had been made from a softer steel than recommended by the manufacturers.
The civil class action by victims for compensation was settled in the District Court in December last year, but to date victims have still not received compensation. The 42 victims involved in the action against insurance companies are to receive compensation amounts between $2000 and $400,000.
While 37 people were injured in the crash, five others who witnessed the accident and were affected were also entitled to compensation.
Terms of the settlement are confidential, but Mr Humphries said negotiations were continuing on behalf of most of the victims. "They have all had offers," he said.
"Some have accepted and some have ongoing negotiations.
"One third have effectively settled and others are continuing to work them out."
But those who had accepted offers were still to receive that compensation.
Mr Humphries said there was no indication of how long it would take for each individual amount to be settled.