Little Marcus smiling despite 'terrible' incident on ride in Chesterfield town centre

Investigations are continuing after a 'horrible' incident involving a children's ride in Chesterfield town centre.
Agnese Lupike and her son Marcus.Agnese Lupike and her son Marcus.
Agnese Lupike and her son Marcus.

Agnese Lupike said her three-year-old-son Marcus was riding the kids' merry-go-round opposite H&M at Vicar Lane Shopping Centre on Saturday afternoon when the pretend fire engine he was travelling in became detached from the platform and 'flew off' in the direction of a young girl who was watching the attraction.

The 31-year-old hailed a quick-thinking man who stepped in to catch the falling cab - saving both children from potentially serious injuries.

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Agnese, of Spital Lane, Chesterfield, told the Derbyshire Times: "This could have ended in tragedy.

The pretend fire engine after it left the platform of the merry-go-round.The pretend fire engine after it left the platform of the merry-go-round.
The pretend fire engine after it left the platform of the merry-go-round.

"My son and the little girl could have been seriously injured.

"I can't stop thinking about it.

"How could this have happened?

"I'd like to say a big thank you to the man who reacted quickly and saved the cab from flying off completely.

A loose bolt on the merry-go-round.A loose bolt on the merry-go-round.
A loose bolt on the merry-go-round.

"If that had happened, I dread to think what injuries my son and the little girl might have suffered."

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Agnese said she complained to Vicar Lane Shoping Centre following the incident and was told in an email that the ride was operated by an 'independent trader'.

She said the email added: "The operator of the equipment was instructed to cease trading immediately after this incident was reported to us and any equipment that was under their control has been removed from site."

In a statement to the Derbyshire Times, a Vicar Lane Shopping Centre spokesman said: "Vicar Lane Shopping Centre is aware of an incident involving a children's ride at the scheme on Saturday.

The pretend fire engine after it left the platform of the merry-go-round.The pretend fire engine after it left the platform of the merry-go-round.
The pretend fire engine after it left the platform of the merry-go-round.

"We are working with the ride's third party operator to fully investigate the situation.

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"Customer safety at the shopping centre continues to be of paramount importance."

Agnese said she wanted to know if the ride continued operating after the incident - but the Vicar Lane Shopping Centre spokesman could not confirm this and said he would ask the third party operator to contact our reporter.

She also voiced concern about the operator's conduct following the incident, claiming he did not apologise nor did he ask how the children were.

The operator is yet to contact the Derbyshire Times about the incident.