“I have decided to avoid any rides for my family this year. My message to other parents is the same; avoid the ride because the risk is high,” the father of two from Tuatua said.
Subrail Park being prepared for the Labasa carnival. Inset: Pradeep Dayal, 37, of Tuatua Labasa. Photos: Sampras Anand
Labasa fathers, Pradeep Lal and Riteshwar Prasad, will not allow their children to be part of Ferris wheel rides during the Digicel Duavata Northern Crime Prevention Carnival at Subrail Park.
The nine-day event is scheduled to start on Friday.
Their decisions followed the tragic accident during the Fiji Showcase in Suva last week where a girl died and two hospitalised when they fell off a Ferris wheel.
Mr Lal said he would not risk his children’s lives for a few minutes for the joy of a Ferris wheel ride.
“It is not worth the money or time,” he said.
He said his son never missed a Ferris wheel ride during carnivals.
“No one can fully rely anymore on authorities with their compliance and safety duties.”
He is among parents and guardians who fear putting their loved ones on Ferris wheels during the carnival.
“I have decided to avoid any rides for my family this year. My message to other parents is the same; avoid the ride because the risk is high,” the father of two from Tuatua said.
Mr Prasad, 34, shared similar sentiments citing his child’s safety as paramount.
“My son enjoys Ferris wheel rides, but I have advised him to miss out this year,” Mr Prasad said.
Carnival committee chairperson Satish Kumar said they respected the rights of people because of their safety.
The Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, national occupational health and safety (OHS) team will meet with amusement ride operators on safety compliance to ensure all structures are stable for usage.
Mr Kumar said all structures erected for the carnival would be inspected by the OHS team.
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