Legoland pays out £35k after worker fell from roller-coaster ride

Legoland in Windsor has been fined for safety breaches after a worker fell from a roller-coaster ride breaking his shoulder and several ribs.

Operator Merlin Attractions Operations Ltd was fined £23,200 and ordered to pay costs of £12,115 after admitting two breaches at Reading Magistrates' Court today.

The Winkfield Road attraction in Windsor was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after the incident on June 1, 2011.

A 42-year-old man from Bracknell fell more than three metres as he was working to remove two damaged roller-coaster trains from a track on the Dragon Coaster.

The court heard how the man stepped on to a section of walkway that had been removed and replaced, but not secured in position.

The HSE investigation found despite the serious injury the man suffered, work continued in the same way the following day in order to complete the task.

A risk assessment by the company stated harnesses and lanyards should have been used, but this was not followed.