Fairground chaos ride failure sends children to hospital

An evening of fun quickly turned into a nightmare when a mechanical failure occurred on a fairground ride at the Galactic Carnival in Edinburgh, resulting in injuries to three children.

The incident took place on Saturday, 10 May 2025, at the Westside Plaza in Wester Hailes, prompting the immediate closure of the event and a joint investigation by Police Scotland and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The ride in question was the Walzer, a popular fairground attraction known for its spinning motion and fast-paced thrill. According to eye witness account and the children’s father, the ride was operating at “full pelt” when a mechanical failure caused part of it to detach. The dislodged component crashed into a nearby speaker, and the resulting impact led to injuries for the three children aged 7, 12, and 13.

All three were taken into hospital and were later discharged after being treated for what were descried as minor injuries, however, the potential for much more serious harm has sparked concern over ride safety, inspection processes and event oversight.

A Narrow Escape

The children’s father, Kevin McNulty, was at the scene and gave a harrowing account of what took place. “Thankfully, there was a heavy, large speaker that they collided with, or they would have been through the whole thing,” he said. “Then the ending would have been a different story, a thought I can’t stop thinking about.

His remarks highlight just how narrowly the incident avoided a more tragic outcome. The presence of the speaker, which was not a safety feature, inadvertently absorbed much of the impact, sparing the children from potentially catastrophic injuries. The emotional toll on the family is still unfolding, as they come to term with what could’ve happened in what should have been a routine, Family friendly evening.

In the aftermath, Galactic Carnival issued a statement apologising to the family involved and expressing its regret over the incident. “We are truly sorry for the distress caused by this incident. Public safety is our top priority,” the operator stated.

The organisers also confirmed that the entire event had been closed early in order to support the investigation and allow third-party inspectors and regulatory authorities to assess the ride and the surrounding environment. Attendees who had purchased tickets for upcoming sessions were assured that automatic refunds would be issued.

The carnival’s operator also emphasised that all rides at the event are regularly inspected and must comply with the Amusement Device Inspection Procedures Scheme (ADIPS), which certifies fairground rides as safe to operate. However, this incident is likely to place increased security on how these inspections are carried out and whether they are sufficient mechanical failure during high-stress operations.

A spokesperson from Police Scotland confirmed that officers were called to the scene at approximately 7:40pm and that they are continuing to make enquiries into the cause of the incident.

Simultaneously, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has confirmed it is aware of the event and is conducting its own investigation. A spokesperson the regulator stated: “HSE is aware of the incident and making inquiries.” Third-party safety experts have also been brought in to conduct an independent assessment of the ride involved and any potential contributing factors.

Depending on the outcome of these investigations, the operator, manufacturer, or individual responsible for assembling the ride may face enforcement action under health and safety legislation, particularly if any breaches of duty of care are identified.

Funfairs and mobile amusement attractions pose unique risks due to the temporary nature of their setup and the variable environment in which they operate. Proper installation, thorough inspection and effective monitoring during operation are crucial. This event serves as a powerful reminder to operators, event organisers, and local authorities of the importance of comprehensive risk assessments and the need for ongoing vigilance even after initial safety checks are completed.

As investigations continue, many within the health and safety community will be watching closely for insights and lessons that can be applied to prevent similar incidents in the future.