Trial of Dreamspace artist begins
Dreamspace art installation. Photo: BBC

Trial of Dreamspace artist begins

29 January 2009

The trial has begun in Newcastle of Maurice Agis, the artist who created Dreamspace. Elizabeth Collings and Claire Furmedge were killed when the giant inflatable artwork that he was showing in Chester-le-Street broke free from the ropes holding it to the ground in July 2006. Dozens of people were exploring the brightly coloured walk-in installation as it turned over. A number of people were thrown free while others were trapped inside.

Sally Moore, head of the personal injury department at law firm Leigh Day & Co, is representing the families of the two women who were killed and was present at the beginning of the trial. On the first day of the trial the court was shown a video of the huge installation as it became airborne . The court heard from the Crown Prosecution's QC that the ropes and pegs used to tether the giant structure to the ground were completely inadequate and led to the catastrophic events that followed.

The case continues.

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Information was correct at time of publishing. See terms and conditions for further details.