No injuries were reported following a ferris wheel incident that occurred yesterday, as confirmed by Iowane Gade, the director of the Wairiki Sevens tournament. While Gade acknowledged that the malfunction happened, he refrained from providing specific details regarding the incident’s cause or the operator’s name.
A video circulating on social media depicts smoke emerging from the ferris wheel’s engine, with bystanders intervening to help safely evacuate the riders. Fortunately, all passengers disembarked without harm. In light of the incident, Gade announced that the ferris wheel operator had been instructed to halt operations, emphasizing the importance of public safety.
Additionally, the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) department is scheduled to inspect and dismantle the ride today. Despite the incident, Gade reassured attendees that it would not disrupt the ongoing Wairiki Sevens rugby tournament, which began earlier in the week and will continue until Saturday. He encouraged spectators to attend and show their support for the event.
Police spokesperson Wame Bautolu confirmed the incident and noted that additional information would be released later.
In summary, this incident has raised important safety concerns, but the swift response of bystanders and officials highlights a community commitment to ensuring the well-being of all participants. Thankfully, the incident did not overshadow the festivities of the Wairiki Sevens.
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