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Touchline issue 22 | November 2015 | 17
Research* shows that 16 per cent of UK
householders have had a child injure themselves
on their property in the last 12 months. The most
common cause of injuries are bouncy castles and
trampolines which have led to almost one in 10
cases of child injuries. This is followed by slides
(including water slides) (7%) and climbing frames
and trees (6%).
While many parents blame the adult for poor
supervision, the research shows that this in fact may
not play a big part in preventing injuries. In four out
of five cases children were under supervision when
the incident occurred.
The research also identifies six year olds as the most
accident prone, accounting for 20 per cent of injuries
to children. This is followed by five year olds and
seven year olds, both accounting for14 per cent of
incidents.
Rates of injury fall as children grow up, with only 6
per cent of injuries involving 10 year olds and only 3
per cent of cases affecting 12 year olds.
*UK Direct Line 2015
TRAMPOLINES AND BOUNCY
CASTLES LEADING CAUSE OF
PERSONAL INJURY FOR CHILDREN
Two people have been charged with manslaughter
after a woman died while bungee jumping in Spain.
Kleyo De Abreu, 23, from London, was killed on 21
July in Lanjaron, Granada, while jumping from the
Tablate Bridge.
The Guardia Civil has charged the owner of an
adventure company and a bungee jump supervisor
with her death. Its investigation found there was
miscommunication between the supervisor and Miss
De Abreu, who jumped before the equipment had
been made safe.
One supervisor had been left to monitor 14 people
taking part in the bungee jump, which was "not
enough" to guarantee customer safety, police found.
It said the monitor's role was to secure the ropes
and harness before authorising the person to jump.
But after attaching the harness to Ms De Abreu
and moving away to tighten the ropes, there was
believed to have been a "lack of communication or
understanding" and Ms De Abreu jumped before
being told to do so.
Investigators believed the monitor "did not execute
their function with due care and precautions", the
report said.
There are two bridges at the site - a modern bridge
from which bungee jumps are launched, with an
ancient Roman bridge underneath. It is believed Ms
De Abreu hit the lower bridge, causing fatal injuries,
when she jumped from above. Tablate Bridge has
a drop of 80m (262ft) and is a popular bungee
jumping site used by several adventure sports firms.
Bungee jumpers fall for about 20m (66ft) and swing
underneath the bridge, with a first jump offered for
about 35 euros (£25).
WOMAN DIES IN BUNGEE JUMP IN
SPAIN.