JEDDAH — The owner of the Jeddah amusement park where three girls fell off a ride during the Eid holidays refused the claim of culpability by the girls' fathers, stressing that he was not responsible and that the law will take its course. The girls sustained various injuries as a result of the fall, including fractures and bruises requiring treatment for more than six months. The park owner told Okaz/Saudi Gazette over the telephone from London that the incident occurred while he was outside the country on personal business, and when he was informed of the incident, he asked his representative to follow up the cases and the treatment of the girls. He also denied the accusations that the ride was defective, challenging any party to check on safety standards in the park. He claimed that the girls' parents demanded amounts of up to SR300,000 each to withdraw the case. They later reduced the amount by half, but he did not relent and asked the Civil Defense to refer the matter to the prosecution. One of the girls' fathers refused to negotiate and demanded justice. He said his daughter was still receiving treatment in the hospital of the Royal Commission in Yanbu. According to doctors, she would require treatment for another three to six months, the father said. He added that the Civil Defense Directorate had imposed a fine of SR60,000 on the park owner, and registered two violations on site, including failure to monitor the rides, and not shutting the power off after its closure. He added that the claims of the parents would be set up jointly against the owner. Fahad Al-Mahboob, a lawyer, said testimonies by witnesses, medical reports and the investigation findings have strengthened the case against the owner, which will be heard in the General Court. He added that compensation will be as determined by the extent of injuries and the duration of treatment.
