“Because of how ridiculously fast it was going, we signaled for the operator to get us off. We got off and the three ladies who are all over the news, were put on our seat.”
A National Occupational Health and Safety Service officer inspects a Ferris wheel at the Fiji Showcase 2023.
What was meant to be a delightful outing with family and friends at the Fiji Showcase last Friday is a nightmare for 21-year-old Ofa Tivaknoa and her family.
Ms Tivaknoa, her sister, young niece and best friend were also on the Ferris-wheel that Komal Kumar, 21, fell off from and led to her death.
Ms Tivaknoa with her sister, young niece, and best friend, were also on the Ferris wheel from which Komal Kumar, 21, tragically fell to her death.
They sat on the same seat that Kumar and two others fell from.
“My family and I decided to take a ride on the Ferris-wheel, and while placing ourselves on the chair, we were told how not to sit, we were told to balance it off by having to lean back, and I was told to lean forward,” Ms Tivaknoa said.
“My family and I decided to take a ride on the Ferris wheel, and as we were positioning ourselves in the chairs, we were given instructions on how to sit. We were told to balance ourselves by leaning back, while I specifically was instructed to lean forward,” Ms Tivaknoa said.
“We didn’t feel safe from the moment we were buckled up because, as I mentioned in my Facebook post, the person who secured our seat told us that we had to sit in a certain position to maintain balance and prevent the seat from flipping backward,” she said.
“Because of how ridiculously fast it was going, we signaled for the operator to get us off. We got off and the three ladies who are all over the news, were put on our seat.”
“Because of the excessively high speed of the Ferris wheel, we signaled to the operator to stop and get us off. The three ladies who have been widely covered in the news were placed on our seat.”
She said after getting off the ride they went to the food area.
“At that point, the Ferris wheel was so fast that when the ladies ‘slipped out,’ I could hear the sound of the impact when their bodies hit the ground.
“When that incident occurred, the operator seemed lost and instead of stopping or slowing down the Ferris wheel, it started moving in the opposite direction, circling backwards.
“It was the saddest thing I’ve ever seen.”
She sent condolences and prayers to the late Komal’s family.
Police questions ferris-wheel operator
Police confirmed that the operators and owners of the Ferris-wheel had been questioned as investigations continue.
Spokesperson Ana Naisoro said the other two victims are still in hospital.
The National Occupational Health and Safety Service of the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations said all rides underwent non-destructive testing (NDT) and passed the necessary safety inspections prior to the beginning of the showcase.
Minister, Agni Deo Singh, and the national OHS service inspectors have initiated their preliminary investigation.
Communications Fiji Limited has also confirmed that all the amusement rides were independently operated and were passed by National OHS officials for which a certificate was received before the Fiji show began.
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