An accident which left a four-year-old boy shaken but not seriously injured on Clacton Pier is to be investigated by an inspection body.
Pier bosses filed a report after the youngster, who was visiting the attraction with his family from the Romford area, fell around four feet from a children’s ride on Saturday afternoon.
Staff rushed to help him and an ambulance was called, but after assessment paramedics said he did not need to be taken to hospital straight away.
They advised his parents to take the boy for a check-up when he got home instead.
The accident, which happened on the Go-Gator ride at around 4.30pm, is the first to happen on the attraction since it opened in the late 1980s.
Pier director Billy Ball admitted it was a shock for all involved and said: “From the various statements it appears that two children, including the boy, were in the front seat of the ride and had already been round once.
“They wanted to stay on for another go and the operator said they could remain in their seats and she would scan their wristband when they had finished.
“She checked they were in safely and then at the same time as she turned to press the button the boy stood up as the ride moved off as he may not have understood the instruction.
“What we understand is that his mother was close by and broke his fall before he landed on the ground.”
Mr Ball said the ride had passed its daily inspection check on Saturday morning – and claims the incident had nothing to do with the ride itself.
He added: “Our main concern was for the boy and his family – as well as our operator who was obviously upset about what had happened.”
Pier bosses contacted the boy’s father on Saturday night and was told he was quiet but a bit pale.
Chiefs will keep in touch with the family over the next few days to monitor his condition.
Mr Ball said he had contacted the boy’s father on Saturday night who said his son was quiet and a bit pale and the Pier will keep in touch with the family to ensure he is alright.
The Go-Gator ride has operated on the Pier since the late 1980s and this was the first accident involving the ride.
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