Fair operator Frank Vale from Bergen op Zoom does not agree with the community service of 60 hours and the fine of 7500 euros that he received on Tuesday after a court decision. He receives this sentence for a serious accident in 2019 at his fairground attraction in which a man lost his leg. “I’m not guilty.”
The accident happened on September 26, 2019 in Wijchen. On that Monday, a gondola of the Deca Dance attraction broke down. An 8-year-old boy was in this gondola with his father. The gondola ended up under a bottom plate. The son broke his wrist. The father lost his right leg, his left knee was crushed and he was injured in the head.
Tuesday was the verdict in the case. The show operator Frank Vale who owned the ride is disappointed with the verdict. “It’s a bit disappointing,” says Frank Vale.
“I am not guilty. In my opinion, I acted with the regulations and knowledge that was available at the time. I acted in good conscience and can therefore still look myself and others in the eye.”
Frank disagrees with the statement, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t mind the accident. “It is a situation with only losers. Something always has to happen before all eyes open. That is in this case too and that is a pity. Apparently they always want to victimize someone and that is not fun.”
Frank does not know how the victim is doing now. “I did not speak to the victim, because I was not allowed to have contact with him. I think that is on the advice of the lawyer.”
The fair operator is disappointed that he has no contact with the victim and the family at the moment. “We have had reasonable contact with each other before this. I was quite concerned with the family.”
Frank is in any case planning to visit the family again. “If the weather is allowed, I will contact him again. I don’t know exactly what I’m going to do yet. First I have to let everything sink in.”