A mum has recalled the horrifying moment her child asked if he was going to die after he was injured at a trampoline park.
Nine-year-old Taylor Fletcher was on the Wipeout machine at Rush Trampoline Park on Cressex Business Park in High Wycombe on Saturday, September 2, when his leg got hooked as he was jumping over the lower spinning mechanism.
As he jumped his leg got caught and the machine "carried on going and snapped his leg", his mum claimed.
The Wipeout machine is an experience where people enter an inflatable ring and have to jump over rotating machine arms. Those that are too slow, risk being knocked over. Participants must be 1.25m and Taylor met the height limit.
His mum, Janice, from Downley, High Wycombe, has criticised Rush for their handling of the incident and says she wants to share their story to prevent further incidents.
Young Taylor was left in agony on the floor asking if 'he was going to die' and was screaming "turn it off, turn it off" as he was lying on the inflatable having suffered a serious break to his right leg.
Rush UK said the machine was stopped within 12 seconds and said they wish Taylor "a speedy recovery" from his injury.
In a statement, they said: "The Wipeout supervisor immediately stopped and isolated the machine, and was able to provide assistance within 12 seconds of the incident occurring. A trained first-aider arrived immediately afterwards and remained at the young guest’s side until paramedics arrived.
“Health and safety is at the very heart of what we do, and all staff must complete a rigorous training programme on operational and health and safety matters. We have a strict staff to guest ratio and always operate within this.”
They said that participants have to sign a health and safety disclaimer before taking part.
However Janice said: "My son Taylor had an accident at 11:55am on Saturday, September 2.
"Taylor sustained a serious break to his right femur, spending a day in traction and then needing a three-hour operation to pin and plate the bones together and remove a bone shard. As well as five full days in hospital.
"He now has to go through six weeks in a wheelchair and rehab thereafter. He’s suffered post-traumatic stress having had night terrors for five nights reliving the entire experience in detail.
She went on to say: "The way in which Rush handled the situation after the incident was totally unacceptable and I want people to know before something horrific happens to another child because of this.
She said: "If this type of equipment can snap a femur that quickly and badly, what could it do to the child's back or neck?
"This type of trauma is bad enough for a child without all the added unnecessary stress that RUSH created."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel