Man killed in tragic accident at county funfair
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A FUNFAIR worker was killed in an horrific accident at a fairground in Northamptonshire last night.
Patrick O’Brien, aged 45, died when he fell under the wheels of a reversing articulated vehicle during the setting up of Stevens’ Family Funfair at Bassett’s Park in Wellingborough at about 6pm last night.
The fair was not open to the public at the time and was setting up ahead of its fireworks party and launch day to mark the Royal Wedding on Friday.
Fair organiser Charmaine Stevens said: “We are all absolutely devastated. It was a terrible, terrible accident. Patrick has worked for us for many years. We simply don’t know how it happened and we probably never will.
“The police came down and cordoned everything off and no doubt the Health and Safety lot will be down but we followed all the correct procedures. It is just a tragic accident.”
It is not yet known if the funfair will open tomorrow as a Health and Safety investigation is likely to take place.
A spokesman for Northamptonshire Police said: “At around 6pm, a fairground ride was being manouevred into position on the temporary funfair site at Bassett’s Park, West Villa Road, Wellingborough.
“As the ride was being moved, a member of the fairground staff was crushed beneath the rear wheels of the ride.
“The man has been formally identified as Michael Patrick O’Brien, aged 45, of Corbyn Crescent, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex.
“Police are continuing their investigation into the incident today and are presently treating the death as ‘unexplained’ pending further enquiries.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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