The family of a young girl who suffered life-changing injuries after an accident at a popular theme park last night accused its operators of failing to pay for her full medical needs.
Jessica Blake was four when she fell through a gap on a bridge caused by a missing fence panel while queuing for the Tomb Blaster ride at Chessington Park of Adventures in 2012. She crashed on to concrete 14ft below and was left with a severe brain injury.
The Surrey theme park, owned by Merlin Entertainments, admitted liability and pledged to fund Jessica’s medical bills. But six years on, her family, from the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, have launched a legal battle to get more treatment and support for Jessica, now 11.
Jessica Blake was four when she fell through a gap on a bridge caused by a missing fence panel while queuing for the Tomb Blaster ride at Chessington Park of Adventures in 2012
Their lawyers, Irwin Mitchell, have lodged a High Court claim against Merlin for damages over £1 million. Merlin is defending the claim, saying it could not be admitted until all the medical evidence was finalised.
Speaking for the first time about the accident, Jessica’s mother, Sarah Archer, said the youngster faced challenges every day.
‘Not knowing how much of a recovery she will make is really difficult for us,’ she said. ‘Jessica is about to move to secondary school and the next few years will be key in defining her prospects in life.
‘The rehabilitation and support she receives is as vital now as it was when she was first injured. Chessington told the judge when the Health and Safety Executive prosecuted that they would support Jessica and provide the rehabilitation she needed.
‘While that was true initially, over the last year or so it has become much harder and we seem to have to fight for what she needs.’
After the accident, the theme park was fined £150,000 and ordered to pay £21,614 costs. Merlin also promised to support Jessica. While her long-term prognosis will not be known until her late teens or early 20s, she has a number of health complications, including a lifelong risk of epilepsy.
Jessica had surgery for a growing skull fracture in 2016. And her brain injury has also affected her mobility.
Ms Archer added: ‘She just wants to be the same as everyone else and this is why having the right support in place is crucial. We can’t wait for Chessington to take months to decide if they will fund additional support as and when it’s needed.’
A Merlin spokesman said: ‘Since 2012, Chessington World of Adventures has sought to provide Jessica and her family with unhindered access to support and rehabilitation. This has included a number of interim payments to fund medical assessments, treatment and support for her education. Proceedings have been filed in order to apply for further payments and we await details in order to make informed decisions on any applications.
‘We are committed to continuing to provide appropriate support to Jessica until a final settlement.’