Sculpture fatalities

News | HSW
01.08.2006

Durham police are leading a joint investigation with the HSE into the fatal incident on 23 July at Chester-le-Street when a giant inflatable sculpture broke free of its moorings. Two people were killed and 13 injured when the artwork, which was half the size of a football pitch and had interconnecting rooms, lifted into the air and drifted 40m. The HSE's investigation team includes a specialist engineer and will provide technical support to the police. Preliminary investigations will focus on the design and anchoring arrangements. Police have taken  possession of the deflated structure, ropes and anchor.