Heather Wright/The Independent

Kim Searson is calling for better inspections for midways after World’s Finest Shows plead guilty to two safety violations after a 2023 accident at the Brigden Fair.

Searson’s grandaughter was one of seven children injured. The little girl, who was three at the time, “smashed” her face on the handrail of the whale-shaped car and was taken to hospital to be evaluated.

In October 2023, parents and grandparents looked on in horror as a ride broke down with children on it. The ride rotated twice, the witnesses told The Independent, before it began to shake and the wheels dropped down. The car hit the ground three times as bystanders yelled to stop the ride.

The Nanticoke-base company operates amusement rides at fairs, festivals and events across the province. It’s been the Brigden Fair’s amusement operator for several years.

Two adjacent cars had been left empty that caused an unbalanced ride. The manufacturer’s specification said only one car should be vacant.

“Once a ride is up and running, both its operation and maintenance are vital to ensuring safe use. Operating a ride according to the manufacturer’s requirements reinforces tested and verified safety requirements and thorough maintenance checks can uncover mechanical issues that may put riders at risk, as we see in this case,” said Kelly Hart, TSSA’s Vice President of Operations. 

“Amusement ride operators have the legal responsibility to uphold safety standards in all aspects of a ride’s use, including installation, maintenance and operation. Any oversight in these areas can potentially lead to incidents and injuries,” added Hart in a news release.

The company pleaded guilty to two safety violations. The Ontario Court of Justice imposed a fine of $40,000, plus a 25 per cent victim surcharge, for two offences under the Technical Standards and Safety Act. 

Searson is pleased the TSSA charged the company and that justice has been served. But she says parents should be keeping their eyes open for any issues with rides before their children get on. “There was a part on that ride that was broken,” she says. “Right then and there…that ride should have been shut down.”

She added ride companies should be doing extensive inspections before the gates open.

Meantime, Searson’s granddaughter did not suffer any permanent injuries, although she still is afraid of rides.

“She still talks about it. She remembers that day and even now that she’s five, she still talks about it and how terrified she was,” Searson says.

“We went to Disney and we had to reassure her that she was going to be okay.”