Chichester parent raises safety concerns after nine year old daughter fractures femur at Flip Out

A Chichester parent has raised their concerns for health and safety at Flip Out Chichester after his daughter suffered a fractured femur.
Picture courtesy of Flip Out Chichester. — A Chichester parent has raised their concerns for health and safety at Flip Out Chichester after his daughter suffered a fractured femur. Picture courtesy of Flip Out Chichester.

Nine year old Kristie Murphy sustained a spiral fracture to her femur while at the trampoline park.

Her father, Mike Murphy, said: “The ambulance arrived within 30 minutes of the fall but it took another two hours before they were able to move her.

"The medics couldn’t reach her as each time they put pressure on the inflatable mattress of the ride to manoeuvre across where she lay on the other side, it caused the break in her leg to move causing excruciating pain and suffering.

"After a shot of ketamine and other pain medications they moved her off the ride and into the ambulance.”

The nine-year-old spent ten days in hospital and underwent surgery to have pins fitted to her leg.

Mr Murphy spoke of his disappointment at Flip Out’s response to his daughter’s injury.

He said: “I approached Flip Out Chichester and spoke with the manager who was aware of the injury and informed him of the injury and subsequent operation.

"I asked to see a copy of the injury report that I had assumed had been submitted to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).

"They said they weren’t required to submit one and that they were adamant that their risk assessment was satisfactory and that our daughter was just ‘unlucky’.

"They did offer us free entry when she was better but wasn’t very sympathetic and read a pre-written script which I suspect has been read to many an unfortunate parent.

"I approached the HSE to ask if a report should have been submitted and they were unable to assist and said it didn’t fall under their remit.

“As a parent we understand that there is risk when undertaking these types of activities.

"There doesn’t appear to any governing body that can track these injuries and assess them for their suitability.”

In response, a spokesperson for Flip Out said the safety of its visitors is paramount’ and a risk assessment is conducted after a serious incident and staff are provided with guidelines to help prevent a similar incident from taking place.