A MAN has been fined after two people were flung from his faulty fairground ride at the British Grand Prix.

Michael Searle, from South Ockendon, had to pay a £3,000 fine and £1,000 costs after pleading guilty to breaching section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, at Aylesbury Crown Court yesterday.

The court heard that two men suffered back injuries and bruising after the seating collapsed on Searle’s “Tagada” fairground ride on July 6 at the 2008 British Grand Prix in Silverstone.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found the ride failed due to corroded structural steel work on the seating.

Michael Rodgers, the director of Fairground Inspection Services Ltd, declared the ride safe.

He was also fined £3,000 and ordered to pay £2,000 costs after pleaded guilty to breaching section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

His company, which is registered at Stretton Road, in Leicestershire, pleaded guilty to the same offence and must pay a £7,000 fine with £2,000 costs.

HSE Inspector, Karl Howes, said: “Fairground rides should be exciting but safe. Everyone on this ride faced a real risk, because the owner and inspector failed to comply with the law.

“The two injured men were fortunate because they could easily have suffered more serious injuries.

“It is the responsibility of those who operate or inspect fairground rides to ensure they carry out their duties thoroughly by identifying and repairing corrosion and wear on the equipment.

“This incident should remind all ride operators and ride examiners that public safety on fairground rides is of paramount importance.”

The Tagada is a ground-level spinning machine that bounces its riders as it turns.

The two men were thrown off as it spun at speed, both have since recovered from their injuries.