Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Guidelines needed for theme park rides, says coroner

Updated at 6:11 am on 5 July 2009

A coroner has urged the Rainbow's End theme park in south Auckland to review operational guidelines for its rides, following the death of a worker last year.

Michael Stuart, 20, was cleaning a ferris-wheel like ride called the "Giddy Gondola", and became trapped between a carriage and a spoke while it was moving.

Auckland Coroner Katharine Greig has released her findings from an inquiry into the death, and says it was unwise that there was no written guide for cleaning the device, as this placed too high an onus on staff to identify safety principles.

Rainbow's End general manager Chris Deere believes good procedures in place, which the company tries to improve at all times. He says the park accepts the coroner's findings.

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