Tragedy Strikes: A Violent Incident at an Inflatable Park

On Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock, a violent gust of wind carries a one-ton structure fifty meters away, as shown in the video at the top of this article. A 35-year-old father and his three-and-a-half-year-old daughter are thrown into the air about ten meters high, according to witnesses. They fall violently to the ground. Cynthia cannot forget the scene. "We were in the garden with my four friends. We saw the structure fly over the trees. We immediately went out with my friends to help because the firefighters had not arrived yet. They arrived five minutes later," she recounts. A neighbor was also at the water park. She prefers to remain anonymous. "People were screaming, that's all. Then, we saw a man on the ground. I didn't know there was a little girl next to him," she testifies. In serious condition, they are first resuscitated by the emergency services, then transferred by helicopter to Marseille. A few hours later, the man dies. The child is still in critical condition. The park has been installed for two months on a communal land. The town hall claims to have no responsibility. "It is the responsibility of the equipment manager. It's like when fairground operators come to set up. They provide us with documents proving that they are up to date, then we don't have to check on the ground," says Marie-Mathilde Moënard, general director of the commune of Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume (Var). On Sunday, the manager of Saint-Maximin said he had checked the installations. The wind was blowing well beyond the recommended maximum speed. According to Frédéric Desbois, founder of the National Association of Inflatable Structure and Animation Operators (ANESAG), to open these attractions, "the limit is based on the standard, it's 38 km/h, because you have such a significant wind resistance that at some point, you can't continue to open." The prosecutor has opened an investigation for unintentional injuries and homicide entrusted to the national gendarmerie. It will determine the circumstances of the accident.

Responsibility and Safety Measures

The tragic incident involving the inflatable structure in Saint-Maximin has raised questions about the responsibility of the operator. According to Me Vincent Julé-Parade, a lawyer specializing in bodily injury, the operator has a civil liability towards the users. This means that if the operator failed to take necessary precautions or neglected maintenance, they could be held accountable for the accident. The investigation will shed light on whether the operator fulfilled their responsibilities. It is crucial to ensure that safety measures are strictly followed to prevent such tragedies in the future. The incident has also raised concerns about the responsibility of the local authorities. The town hall claims that they are not responsible for the accident, as it falls under the responsibility of the equipment manager. However, it is essential for the authorities to play an active role in verifying the safety of such attractions to protect the public. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough inspections and adherence to safety regulations to avoid accidents and protect the lives of individuals.

Moving Forward and Ensuring Safety

While the tragedy in Saint-Maximin remains fresh in people's minds, visitors to inflatable parks in Toulon are determined to enjoy their vacations without dwelling on the incident. Many parents and guardians express confidence in the safety of the inflatable structures, citing the secure installations and strict maintenance procedures. They believe that accidents like the one in Saint-Maximin are rare occurrences and do not happen every day. However, some visitors mention that they would still take extra precautions and ensure that everything is properly fixed when their children are old enough to play on inflatable attractions. It is crucial for operators and authorities to prioritize safety and regularly assess the conditions of inflatable structures to prevent any future accidents. By maintaining high safety standards and enforcing proper maintenance protocols, the risk of incidents can be minimized, allowing families and children to enjoy these attractions safely.

Words of the day

Structure : Structure

Tragedy : Tragédie