An investigation is continuing into the freak accident which resulted in several people, including children, being injured at Cupar Children’s Gala on Saturday.
Two people were taken to hospital and others were treated at the scene after high winds blew away a giant inflatable slide that had until seconds before been used by several children at the gala in Duffus Park.
Roy Stewart, Fife Council service manager protective services, said: “Environmental health officers are carrying out an investigation.
“We’re gathering facts and information about the incident and have a lot of people to speak to.
“Once this is done we’ll be able to decide on the most appropriate course of action. We wish those involved a speedy recovery.”
The Health and Safety Executive told The Courier it was not involved in the investigation.
One of those injured was six-year-old Cupar girl Summer Wroniecki, who recently waged a high-profile cancer fight and inspired a huge fundraising effort.
She was smashed into another ride after the inflatable slide was hurled around 150 yards by a gust of wind.
She was transferred to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh where she is expected to undergo surgery today for a broken femur.
Her father Chris revealed that she was “comfortable” and he thanked everyone for the hundreds of messages of support.
Revealing that she was continuing to show characteristic determination and strength following her latest ordeal, he said of Summer on Facebook: “She’s sitting up watching TV and not needing pain relief for a broken femur. Unreal!”
The gala’s organising committee, who are all local volunteers and put in months of preparation, said “every safety precaution was risk-assessed and fulfilled by the committee and service providers prior to the gala commencing and during”.
It blamed adverse weather conditions which were “outwith our control”.
Considerable debate has continued on social media as to whether the independent slide operator or gala committee should bear responsibility.
Leta Kelly said on Facebook: “That inflatable should not have been put up and I’m speaking as someone who was hit by it, with my daughter who is now terrified and traumatised.”
Caroline Innes said: “Cannot understand why the slide was allowed to be inflated when gazebos weren’t allowed due to high winds.”
David Hovell said: “You have to be a lunatic to put up a bouncy slide in winds like they had.”
But Steven Dickie Stewart said: “What happened on what is the best day out for the kids every year in the town was in no way the fault of the gala committee.
“These people work tirelessly all year round.”
Heather Spence-Smith said: “The smiles they have put on my kids’ faces every year has been priceless. Thoughts are with them also as without these volunteers we wouldn’t have a gala.”