Carnival goers were left with burnt eyes after a carnival float was accidentally covered in tanning bulbs.
Brightly-coloured floats were greeted by jubilant crowds at the annual Bridgwater Carnival event in Somerset last Saturday.
But 18 people needed medical treatment after one entry, run by the Ramblers Carnival Club, used the wrong bulbs as part of their display.
Performers on board a carnival float suffered burnt eyes after tanning bed bulbs were used
The UV bulbs were used to give the Halloween-themed float its pumpkin-orange colour
Ian Fudge (pictured left) and Steve Whaites (right) were among those injured in the incident
Seven people were reportedly taken to hospital, with some said to have suffered burnt eyes or ‘arc eye’, a condition which is caused by exposure to bright UV light.
The Ramblers Club’s striking-looking float was covered in orange bulbs to look like giant pumpkins, with those on board dressed as skeletons in white and black striped suits.
Joanne Rich, whose father was injured, wrote online: ‘Spent a few hours at Musgrove [Park Hospital] last night with my dad Ian fudge after the carnival the lights on the cart got wet and burnt his eyes. Never seen someone in such a state.
‘He’s had some injections in his eyes to ease the pain and eyedrops. Bloody awful.’
Club member Steve Whaites also said he had been caught up in the incident.
Carnival organiser Chris Hocking told The Sun the bulbs mistakenly used were like those used on tanning beds.
He said: ‘They wanted to create a UV effect but unfortunately they bought the wrong lights.’
A family member of one man who was injured said he needed eyedrops to ease the pain
The design was certainly striking, but as many as 18 people are said to have needed treatment
Some locals speculated that the wrong type of bulbs may have been fitted among the thousands used on the float.
But Paul Webber, secretary of the Ramblers Carnival Club, blamed the weather for the problem on their cart, which was called ‘Halloween in Deadman’s Hollow’.
It is not believed anyone in the crowd suffered any injuries
He said: ‘Ramblers Carnival Club would like to acknowledge that during the Bridgwater Carnival Procession on Saturday November 4, there were some technical issues, due to adverse weather conditions, causing damage to some lighting.
‘These technical issues, once identified, were immediately rectified and alternative technology is now in use.
‘These issues did cause some minor, short-term effects to the cart personnel, but we are happy to confirm that there are no continuing problems.
‘We would like to thank all those involved with carnival for their concerns and support and wish you all luck in the remaining processions.
‘The club would now like to consider the matter closed and will not be answering any further questions.’
Over 150,000 people watched the carnival main procession with others travelling to the High Street to watch the traditional squibbing.
The carnival’s official stream was cancelled due to technical problems and the organisers swiftly apologised and offered refunds.
Police said four people were arrested for being drunk and disorderly at the carnival.