Anthony Yates
A funfair worker has died at a UK event after suffering severe head injuries over the weekend. The fair remains closed to give staff time to grieve.
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According to a report by Sky News, the incident occurred on Saturday at around 2:15 PM at the Spanish City Summer Funfair in Whitley Bay. The outlet explains that an off-duty medic provided aid to the worker, who was reportedly in their 20s. The North East Ambulance Service dispatched multiple units, including an air ambulance and a rapid response paramedic. Emergency services treated the man at the scene, but authorities declared him dead a short time later.
A spokesperson for the Northumbria Police reportedly said, “Our thoughts are with the man’s family at this extremely difficult time. We have contacted the Health and Safety Executive and are working with them to establish exactly what happened. The fair has been closed to the public and will remain closed until further notice.”
Many details about the incident remain unclear, although a report by the Guardian confirms the man died from a head injury. A police spokesperson also told the outlet that the man was injured in the Plaza area of the funfair.
Local News Outlets Confirmed The Funfair Worker’s Identity
A report by the Shropshire Star names the funfair worker as 28-year-old Corrie Lee Stavers from Sunderland. Per the outlet, his family said in a statement, “It’s with broken hearts that we share the devastating news that our beloved Corrie has passed away. He was tragically taken from us in an accident while working on a fairground ride. None of us were prepared for this, and the pain of losing him so suddenly is impossible to put into words.”
Turner Funfairs and Spanish Funfairs also posted about the incident on Facebook. Their first post explains that the funfair will be closed until further notice. “As a mark of respect, Spanish City Funfair will remain closed this weekend, while we take the time to grieve together,” the organization wrote in a separate statement.
Per the Guardian, police are asking witnesses or anyone with information to get in touch.
