Ejected from a ride at the Blois funfair, a 27-year-old woman died on Saturday April 20, 2024. The manager was indicted 48 hours later.
The manager of a ride at the Blois funfair was indicted Monday April 22, 2024 for involuntary manslaughter and endangering the lives of others, two days after the death of a young woman ejected from this attraction, announced the prosecution.
Opening a security barrier
According to the first elements of the investigation, the victim, aged 27, was ejected on Saturday evening due to opening a security barrier of the “pinball type” ride, specified the public prosecutor of Blois, Charlotte Beluet, in a press release sent Monday evening. The manager and owner of the ride, a 28-year-old man was taken into police custody.
Late Monday afternoon, he was indicted for manslaughter by clearly deliberate violation of an obligation of prudence as well as for endangering the lives of others, said the magistrate. The showman was placed under judicial supervision with a ban on carrying out his professional activity.
The impression that it was “incorrectly engaged”
The victim’s companion, who was sitting next to him on the ride, said she had the “impression” that the safety barrier was “incorrectly engaged”but the passage of the manager had reassured, indicates Ms. Beluet. However, “with the speed, the safety bar opened, which seemed to be confirmed by the video of a third party, and his companion was then ejected from the moving ride”, explains the prosecutor.
Died in hospital
Thrown onto the trailer of a truck, the victim, originally from Blois, fell heavily to the ground, before dying in the city hospital as a result of his injuries. The manager explained that he acquired the ride three years ago and that he had never experienced a “malfunction” Since. The ride was placed under seal for expertise. It had received the necessary approvals and had been verified by an approved body before the opening of the funfair, which was due to close on Sunday.
The young woman’s family filed a complaint against X for manslaughter. The investigation will have to determine a possible “mechanical failure in safety devices“, as well as the state of maintenance of the ride and its compliance with regulations, underlines the press release.
Closed Sunday
The funfair has been livening up the Blois exhibition center for three weeks. His last day was to be this Sunday, April 21, 2024. But as the fairgrounds had made it official at La Nouvelle République, no Sunday opening following the events of Saturday evening, “by respect for the deceased lady and her loved ones.
