Show safety priority for Masterton A&P

Masterton A&P Association secretary-manager Melissa Warren said show organisers "haven't made a final decision yet" on a provider of amusement activities. FILE PHOTO

Planners of Masterton's next A&P show are keeping safety in mind in choosing an amusement provider after the latest fairground ride injury.

At the Wairarapa A&P Show in Clareville last weekend a Martinborough boy, 12, was left bruised and battered from being thrown around inside the Gravitron, a Mahon Amusements ride.

The incident has further highlighted the issue of safety for planners of the Masterton A&P Show in February - especially since the Masterton show had its own problems with the collapse of a giant inflatable slide last February.

That collapse saw more than a dozen children tumble 8m to the ground and six were taken to hospital with sprains and bruises.

The Mammoth Slide provider Eric Gerritsen, 51, was convicted last month of obstructing a Worksafe investigation.

Ironically the slide had replaced the regular provider, Mahon Amusements, at last year's Masterton Show, with cost being cited as a factor.

New Masterton A&P Association secretary-manager Melissa Warren said yesterday that organisers "haven't made a final decision yet" - on a provider of amusement activities.

"We're working on a lot of things that are happening at the show," Miss Warren said.

"At the moment I don't want to make a comment."

Asked whether safety would be considered in light of last year's incident and the one in Carterton last weekend, Miss Warren replied: "Absolutely."