The trial of the creator of Dreamspace continues in Newcastle. Sally Moore, head of the personal injury department at law firm Leigh Day & Co, is representing the families of two of the women who were killed in the tragedy in July 2006.
So far the jury has heard evidence from people who were caught up in the incident when a giant inflatable art installation broke free from its tethers and lifted up in the air before becoming snagged on a cctv camera post when bystanders made frantic attempts to pull the structure to the ground. One couple who were inside the attraction when it lifted off the ground told how they saw the floor of the installation start to ripple like a wave machine before falling over. They both suffered serious injuries including a punctured lung and broken ribs. Another woman recalled how she heard the ropes holding the inflatable in position snap one by one leaving her children trapped inside Dreamspace.
This week the court heard evidence from health and safety engineers and experts. Numerous matters came to light. The main health and safety expert reporting on the accident, confirmed there was no evidence that the possible effects of wind blowing against the structure, the number of anchorage points required, the tension in the ropes (used to tether the structure), variations in air pressure and temperature and ground conditions, amongst others, were considered when Dreamspace was designed. Moreover, the expert considered these factors were not properly taken account of (if at all) when Dreamspace was set up.
Earlier in the trial the court heard that the structure had been partly evacuated when a cleaner noticed that the floor was billowing up from the ground but despite this members of the public were allowed back inside Dreamspace on the day of the tragedy.
The artist denies two charges of manslaughter and another of breaching safety regulations.
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