Two Killed as UK Inflatable Maze Becomes Airborne

Two people were killed yesterday after an inflatable maze was blown 30ft into the air by a gust of wind, according to police. Two women, aged 38 and 68, were killed when the structure broke free from its moorings before crashing to the ground, a police spokeswoman confirmed.

It is believed 30 people may have been on the inflatable, which was at Riverside Park, close to Durham County Cricket Club.

A spokesman for North East Ambulance Service said a three-year-oldgirl sustained severe crush injuries and was airlifted to Newcastle General Hospital.

Three boys, aged between eight and 11, suffered neck, leg and arm injuries and were taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Gateshead.

A 13-year-old girl was taken to South Tyneside District Hospital with minor injuries, while an 11-year-old girl was taken to UniversityHospital suffering from severe shock and was slipping in and out of consciousness.

The spokesman said an elderly woman and a man suffered heart attacks and were taken to University Hospital in Durham.

Three other people, described as walking wounded, were taken to University Hospital.

A police spokesman said: 'There was a massive response from the air ambulance, fire service, and local officers.'

The Health and Safety Executive has launched an investigation.

John Robson, of County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, said officers were called to the park at about 3.35pm.

He said, 'The structure must have travelled about 60ft towards a children's playground.

'It was tied down and there was quite a bit of weight to the structure. No doubt how it rose so high off the ground will come out in the investigation.'

Six ambulances and two air ambulances were sent to the scene, as well as five fire engines.

The sculpture is an inflatable work of art and is 5m high, with a footprint of 50x50 metres.

According to Chester-le-Street District Council, the exhibition isa temporary construction made of thin translucent PVC sheets, created by international artist Maurice Agis.

According to the website, the artist has included Chester-le-Street as part of his annual international tour, which is then scheduled to stop off at Liverpool and London. The exhibition is part-funded by the English Arts Council and the artist.

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