Hull Fair ride operators admit liability after woman thrown off ride

Jade Harrison, 22, suffered severe dental injuries and had to have metal plates inserted into her face and spent four days in hospital, after the accident on the Airmaxx 360.

Her specialist dental treatment - which has so far cost £4,000 - has been paid for by the insurers of then owners of the ride, Taylor’s Fun Fairs, which is based in Cumbria.

Ms Harrison said she had struggled to accept what had happened, but was now concentrating on the future, after starting a university course and landing a new job.

As part of her personal injury claim she was also placed on a cognitive behavioural therapy course to help her recover psychologically.

She recalled the horror of the incident and said she was still anxious in cars and jumpy if she heard loud noises.

She said: “A lot of the therapy I have had has been to help me try and put what happened in the past, which has been tough.

"My treatment has been helping me accept that it happened and to try and develop coping strategies for when things affect me.

“I’ve certainly become more anxious, and I was quite an anxious person already."

She has been represented by personal injury specialist Becci Ashfield at Hudgell Solicitors.

It was alleged that the ride's operators failed to adequately inspect the ride, and that a failure to enforce an adequate system of inspection had left riders at risk.

The operators admitted liability within four months of receiving the claim.

Ms Ashfield said: “Thankfully, the defendants were quick to admit liability and that has paved the way for Jade to also benefit from costly, specialist dental treatment.

“Even now Jade still has some extensive dental work ahead of her, and once this is completed we will be seeking expert medical opinion on any longer term impact of her injuries.”

The fair is one of the city's biggest traditions, as well as one of its oldest, having reached its 700th anniversary in 1993 , and would normally be held now.

The 2020 event was cancelled in August due to uncertainty over coronavirus regulations around mass gatherings.