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Show ride death charges to be contested

Charges over the death of an eight-year-old girl, thrown from a ride at the Royal Adelaide Show in 2014, will be contested, lawyers say.

Jun 02, 2016, updated Jun 02, 2016
Eight-year-old Adelene died after falling from a ride at the Royal Adelaide Show in 2014. Photo supplied/SA Police

Eight-year-old Adelene died after falling from a ride at the Royal Adelaide Show in 2014. Photo supplied/SA Police

Adelene Leong, who was on holiday from Malaysia, died after she was thrown 10 metres from the high-speed Airmaxx 360 ride.

Safety inspection company Safe is Safe Ltd and its Queensland director Hamish Monro came before the South Australian Industrial Court on Thursday where the matter was set for a further hearing on June 30.

Outside the court, counsel for Safe is Safe and Munro, Kerri Fredericks, said the charges were being contested.

In documents filed with the court, prosecutors have alleged the safety inspection on the ride failed to test the condition and effectiveness of its harness, safety locks and connecting pins.

The charges allege breaches of work health and safety laws and have been filed as a category 1 offence, the first such prosecution in SA.

They carry a maximum penalty for an individual of a $300,000 fine or a five-year jail sentence or both.

When the case was launched in April, Attorney-General John Rau said the crown solicitor’s office was continuing to assess evidence in relation to Adelene’s death with a view to potentially prosecuting other parties.

The Airmaxx 360 ride was making its first appearance at the Royal Adelaide Show and featured a rotating section with multiple arms that would spin and move up and down.

It was shut down immediately after the incident.

AAP

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